Congratulations to all the hard-working volunteers for making the Sixth annual Back to School Bash the biggest yet, with 2,000-plus bags of school supplies distributed in backpacks and other bags. A few bags remain. Judy Cano claimed a bunch for the houseless kids (housing insecure) and the schools, which will have them available when classes resume Aug. 4.
Congratulations to all the hard-working volunteers for making the Sixth annual Back to School Bash the biggest yet, with 2,000-plus bags of school supplies distributed in backpacks and other bags. A few bags remain. Judy Cano claimed a bunch for the houseless kids (housing insecure) and the schools, which will have them available when classes resume Aug. 4.
Vonn Ramos was able to get the Kaua‘i Lions Club to volunteer for both the packing and distribution (West Kaua‘i Lion Basilio Fuertes was enjoying some red-bean malasada with Gutsy Oyama), and it’s always fun to chat with Jim Whitfield. Karen Ono of the Kaua‘i Board of Realtors stayed the entire day at the station where those who missed the pre-registration could get something.
Alexa Jacobs was able to stay for the whole process from packing to distribution, and Lance Rae (he’s a contractor with the state Department of Transportation) was doing pedestrian and child-safety-seat duty. Val Saiki waited in the line for the backpacks and still had time to drop off anti-smoking information for parents, and Tiffany Sagucio, the reigning Miss Kaua‘i Filipina, wanted to know how the “campers” are selected. Gwynech Abella, the Miss Kaua‘i Filipina First Princess, was helping Tiffany at the registration desk until Isabel Gampon (the reigning Miss Hawai‘i Filipina) could make the event.
Kudos to Sara Miura (don’t forget to tell Tad Miura about using those anti-bacterial wipes) and the Deja Vu Surf Hawai‘i team (how did Akemi Dizol get the day off?) on their Back-to-School sale (ever see those fancy Hydro Flask covers and handles?).
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.