PO‘IPU — “Find a champion,” said Timothy Takeshita of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, the repeating chair for the Kaua‘i United Way 2022 Campaign.
Thursday, the KUW announced its goal of $600,000 for the year during the launch at the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa.
The announcement was made to the audience of several hundred people representing the KUW Partner Agencies, large corporate payroll deduction participants, and the community.
The “champion” referred to by Takeshita is the effort put forth by any of the KUW Partner Agencies in their individual efforts to take on social issue concerns.
Gina Kaulukukui of Life’s Bridges, one of the KUW Partner Agencies, and a guest presenter during the luncheon, said the social issues, similar to a single death, impact a lot of people. Everyone knows someone who has been impacted by some of the issues being tackled by the umbrella of 23 partner agencies.
Touching on the tough times of trying to get past the COVID-19 pandemic, Kaulukukui touched on problems being faced by people who never thought they would have to deal with some of the issues raised by the pandemic, and the support that is sorely-needed to help individuals and families cope with the problems.
“And, when you find that champion,” Takeshita said. “Ride with the champion.”
That is one of the many ways, the Kaua‘i United Way will be able to meet its goal that was set just a little higher than last year’s mark.
“Last year, the Kaua‘i United Way raised $525,000 that was 95% of the goal,” Takeshita said. “Ride with a Champion.”
Kaua‘i United Way Board member Ron Wiley, drawing from his previous experience of chairing the campaign for several years, said one of the simplest way is to visit the Kaua‘i United Way website at kauaiunitedway.org, and make a simple, one-time “gift” that will make a difference.
Or, a simple payroll deduction where a small amount contributed each month adds to the effort of meeting this year’s challenge.
Lynette Medrano-Stine, handling this year’s launch solo because of the inability for KUW Acting Director Lori Almarza to attend in-person, is the KUW Campaign Development Director and has a bagful of tips and suggestions on getting a company, no matter if big or small, signed up for group payroll deduction.
To find a champion, or for methods of giving, the first step involves a visit to kauaiunitedway.org.
