The Garden Island and the Zonta Club of Kaua’i are again teaming up with the community to try and make the holidays a little happier for those in need. Every year, the community is asked to make donations to the
The Garden Island and the Zonta Club of Kaua’i are again teaming up with the community to try and make the holidays a little happier for those in need.
Every year, the community is asked to make donations to the Zonta/Garden Island Christmas Fund.
With the help of community agencies, Zonta Club members identify families who will not have a merry Christmas without our help. Every day from now until Christmas, The Garden Island will publish stories about people who could use some assistance. The names have been changed to protect their privacy but the stories are all actual case histories of people living on Kaua’i.
Monies collected are used to fulfill their wishes whenever possible. Checks and money orders may be sent to Zonta/Garden Island Christmas Fund, c/o The Garden Island, P.O. Box 231, Lihue HI 96766. Donations may also be dropped off at The Garden Island office at 3137 Kuhio Highway in Lihu’e during office hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Because of an accounting change, contributions this year will not be tax-deductible, according to a Zonta representative. For more information, call 822-9882).
For more information, call Rita at 245-3681, ext. 241.
Couple could use help with car repairs
Alan, 66, and Edith, 63 are a senior couple who struggle financially to meet their food and medicinal needs even with public assistance. They live very simply in a somewhat remote area where public transportation is not available. They rely on their old car to get to the doctor’s office and grocery store and have difficulty paying for needed repairs. Their holidays would be made brighter with some financial assistance to help them with their car repairs.
Elderly mom and daughter need groceries
Ann Jones is 88 years old and has lost much weight since recovering from a major stroke last year which resulted in the loss of use of her right arm and hand. Ann also has to deal with other health problems and now has one kidney that is not functioning and the other only partially functioning. She lives with her daughter, Betty, who is 64 and has severely advanced diabetes. Betty is in a wheelchair and has vision impairment due to her diabetes, but tries to care for herself as well as her mom as best as she can in spite of her own health problems. They receive public assistance and deal with the additional challenges of having limited incomes. Ann and Betty’s holidays would be made more special this season with gift certificates for groceries.
Social Security just doesn’t stretch far enough
Mark Fields is 79 years old and has to survive on the very small Social Security check he receives monthly. His income is just over the limit to qualify for and receive public assistance but is far below what he needs to live comfortably each month without a struggle. Mr. Fields has also been quite ill this year and is facing astronomical medical bills as well. He can look forward to brighter holidays if he were to receive a gift certificate for household items or groceries.