LIHU‘E — 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.
• Mel has recently gotten into housing after being homeless for many years. Mel is getting used to being housed again and not sleeping outside. Mel needs to keep his windows shut as he lives on a busy street. Mel is saving up for a nature sound machine to help him sleep.
• Sandy and her husband Kevin have 3 children ages 19, 12 and 10. Meg their oldest just started going to community college. Sandy’s mother Jill lives with them. Sandy works full time to support the family as her husband Kevin can’t work as he is disabled. The family enjoys having a weekly movie night.
• Ben and his wife Shannon have a 7-year-old son and a 4-year-old daughter. Ben works 2 jobs and Jennifer stays home to watch their daughter. The family struggles to meet monthly bills but they always scrape by. Shannon will be looking to go back to work when their daughter goes into school.
• Darrell is 76 years old diagnosed with dementia approximately 10 years ago. Now living with a relative since he needs constant supervision. He is well liked and friends make it a priority to visit Darrell at least once a month. Darrell depends on his caregiver to provide 24/7 care. Family members would prefer to keep Darrell at home but the cost of services are high. Things like Depends and ensure would be welcomed.
• Brad and Carol have two adult disabled daughters Hanna and Grace. Brad is retired and the family is on a fixed income. With inflation, the family lives check to check. It would be nice to provide the family with some new clothes.
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-Kaua‘i.org, or checks can be made payable to The Zonta Club of Kaua‘i Foundation, P.O. Box 3032, Lihu‘e, HI 96766.
