Even with the island’s economy showing greater strength than it has since before Hurricane ‘Iniki in 1992, there are still pressing social-service needs, the head of the Kauai United Way said. “It seems to me that the socialservice needs are
Even with the island’s economy showing greater strength than it has since before Hurricane ‘Iniki in 1992, there are still pressing social-service needs, the head of the Kauai United Way said.
“It seems to me that the socialservice needs are accelerating,” said Scott Giarman, Kauai United Way executive director.
With more rich people moving to Kaua‘i, the island’s cost of living continues to climb, he said.
“We all know about the housing problems,” and with that cost-ofliving increase comes also pressures which can easily lead to increases in incidences of family violence, drug abuse, alcoholism and other ills.
“That’s something we all need to look out for,” he cautioned.
It is in this scenario that the annual Kauai United Way fund drive has kicked off, with a goal of $550,000 to fund programs of nearly two dozen social-service agencies providing programs and services on the island.
The goal is the same as 2003’s, when the drive fell short by around $37,000. “We really need to do better,” he said. If every resident of Kaua‘i gave just $10, the goal would be easily surpassed.
Agencies supported by Kauai United Way funding “touch the lives of thousands directly, and benefit all of the island,” he said.
“The money raised here stays here.” When Kaua‘i people receive the social services they need, they benefit, their families, friends and co-workers benefit, and all of the island benefits, he said.
“We’re all better off when people among us receive the social services they need,” said Giarman.
“Our challenge is to talk to people, to get our story out,” he continued. When people find out what the island’s needs are, how their donations help, and how easy and relatively painless it is to give through payroll deduction, most are willing to give, he said.
“It’s multiplied by everyone giving together. Kauai United Way is a framework for the community to come together and take care of itself,” and it’s in the entire community’s interest to keep young people off drugs, off the streets, and in meaningful programs funded by the Kauai United Way, he said.
The all-volunteer Kauai United Way board, which includes Shanna Pollard, president and publisher of The Garden Island newspaper, works hard to make sure agencies provide meaningful services to those in need on the island, whether it’s Kauai Hospice, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, or agencies dealing with mentally ill Kauaians, for example, he said.
The volunteers annually assess community needs and programs offered by agencies funded by the Kauai United Way, and put the most money where it’s needed most, he stressed.
Leaders of agencies funded by the Kauai United Way appreciate the fact that most of the funds are “unrestricted,” meaning they can be used for any purpose the agency leaders deem appropriate.
Donors may earmark their contributions to specific organizations funded by the Kauai United Way, Giarman said.
Paul C. Curtis, associate editor, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or pcurtis@pulitzer.net.
