Volunteers donated bikes and funds to the cause, U.S. Marine Corps personnel coordinated the effort, and Saturday volunteers put together over 100 bicycles to get into the hands of needy Kaua’i children just in time for Christmas. Even before news
Volunteers donated bikes and funds to the cause, U.S. Marine Corps personnel coordinated the effort, and Saturday volunteers put together over 100 bicycles to get into the hands of needy Kaua’i children just in time for Christmas.
Even before news of the capture of Saddam Hussein hit the international airwaves, there was a spirit of cooperation, shared blessings, hope, and of doing something for those less fortunate on the island, when members of the JROTC programs of Waimea High and Kapa’a High joined other volunteers to put together bicycles and tricycles in the annual Toys for Tots drive.
The number of bikes put together, 105, more than doubled the amount donated last year, giving the volunteers more reason to quickly and accurately assemble the bicycles.
The Lihu’e Ace Hardware and Ben Franklin Crafts location on Rice Street was the place the bikes were put together.
Officials from The Salvation Army and other agencies will decide which needy Kaua’i keiki will get the bicycles, virtually ensuring a merry Christmas for over 100 children.
This year also marked the first time the Marine Corps League members got help from the JROTC students and their leaders, when they needed it most because of the volume of bikes donated.
Ken Ammon, manager of the Ace Hardware and Ben Franklin Craft store in Lihu’e, headed up an assembly line of volunteers consisting mostly of Marine Corps personnel and Marine Corps League volunteers at one end of the warehouse, while the students worked in teams in other areas.
