LIHUE — Through Christmas Eve, The Garden Island will share daily, front-page stories about families and individuals (we don’t use their real names), who are facing challenges and would appreciate a little help this holiday season.
The Christmas Fund is an avenue for everyone to provide that assistance. Donations are used by Zonta Club members to purchase gift certificates that are in turn distributed to families and individuals through social-service agencies.
The following are some stories we would like to share with our readers.
• Brandon and Brenda were a homeless couple for the last three years, living in their cars at different spots around the island. Brenda works full-time but has recently had to stop for a while to care for her husband. Brandon is unable to work and they both live on limited income and until recently could not afford rents. Having found a place they could afford, most of their limited income goes towards rent, leaving very little for anything else. They are looking for curtains, curtain rods and gift cards for food. They would appreciate anything, especially since they have finally found housing after 3 years.
• Taylor and Mikki are a couple with two teenage children, a 15-year-old female and a 17-year-old male, and are expecting a new baby. They are a single income family, that works odd jobs to make ends meet. After moving back home to help care for Taylor’s family, they found themselves houseless and couch surfing. With the help of services they were finally able to secure housing just before the baby arrives. They would appreciate any type of baby items, especially diapers, and gift cards for the teenagers so they are able to pick out what they would like. For them gift cards for food would be greatly appreciated.
• Kekoa has an intellectual disability. He enjoys being outdoors hiking and swimming. He also enjoys learning how to cook. Kekoa lives at home with his family and would like to become more independent. Kekoa would appreciate new clothing, toys to build and easy cookbooks.
• Mia is a young woman who lives with her mother. Mia has a moderate intellectual disability. Mia enjoys spending time with her dog. Mia loves shopping and could use new clothing, notebooks to practice her writing and loves anything Disney themed.
• Noa is a young man with an intellectual disability and suffers from blindness. He enjoys spending time with his dogs, going for walks with assistance, pushing the grocery cart and being around others.
Each donation is accounted for and recorded. There are no administrative costs involved, and money goes directly to provide for those in need of Christmas presents and groceries.
If you hold a fundraiser for the Christmas Fund, let us know and we’ll spread the word. Anyone making a donation of $200 or more can have their picture published in TGI.
Also, for every $250 donation given to the Christmas Fund, Hale Uluwehi Charitable Foundation will match up to $5,000.
Donations may be made by way of the website, Zonta-Kauai.org, or checks can be made payable to The Zonta Club of Kauai Foundation, P.O. Box 3032, Lihue, HI 96766.
