Akoni is a 62-year-old male with mental disabilities. He lost his mother many years ago and lives with his elderly father. They have a hard time making ends meet and often go without.
Akoni is very friendly. His smile is infectious and he is very liked in the community. He appreciates every bit of help he gets. What he needs more than anything, he said, is warm clothing and a pair of good shoes.
The Garden Island/Zonta Club Christmas Fund helps people like Akoni and this year, it is receiving strong community support behind the inspiration of its longtime volunteer leader, Yoshiko “Dimples” Kano, and thanks to the generosity of Hale Uluwehi Kauai Fund, which matched donations of $100 or more up to $10,000.
The fund helps hundreds of families on Kauai and this year is no different.
There is still time to donate.
Through Christmas Eve, The Garden Island will each day share front-page stories about families (we don’t use their real names but the circumstances described are real) facing challenges, who would appreciate a little help.
Families apply for assistance through social service agencies, which in turn connect with the Zonta Club of Kauai.
Donations to the Christmas Fund are used by Zonta Club members to purchase gift certificates at local stores for those families.
Each donated dollar is accounted for and carefully recorded. There are no administrators collecting salaries.
The Garden Island/Zonta Christmas Fund was established in the early 1980s. Dimples says it has been rewarding to see so many families benefit through the generosity of the community.
“It’s brought a lot of happiness to families in need,” she said.
Anyone making a donation of $50 or more may have his or her picture presenting the check published in TGI.
Only monetary donations are accepted. Checks, payable to Zonta Club of Kauai Foundation, can be mailed to P.O. Box 3032, Lihue, HI 96766. For more information, call Kano at 822-4517.
