After learning that the Hawai‘i and Kaua‘i troops with the Hawaii Army National Guard and other branches don’t have enough rice to eat in Iraq, members and leaders of the Aloha Church (Assembly of God) in Lihu‘e decided it was
After learning that the Hawai‘i and Kaua‘i troops with the Hawaii Army National Guard and other branches don’t have enough rice to eat in Iraq, members and leaders of the Aloha Church (Assembly of God) in Lihu‘e decided it was time for a mobilization of their own.
“We would like to help. Will you join us?” asked the Rev. Vill Galiza, pastor of the church off Kaumuali‘i Highway across from Kukui Grove Center.
Members of the Aloha Church are receiving monetary donations to send rice to Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i men and women in Iraq, and to provide financial assistance to the Kaua‘i families they left behind to go fight for freedom, Galiza said.
The collection is being planned around a free Celebration of Freedom this Sunday, July 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the church.
The celebration will include music, activities for the keiki (including a water slide), entertainment, food and drinks. Pony rides will be available for a charge, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Some activities require small charges, he explained.
Everyone is invited. The idea is also to reach out to members of families whose loved ones are serving abroad, to have them attend too, said Deborah Jameson of Princeville, who drives from the North Shore to attend services at the Lihu‘e church.
The overall idea is to “celebrate all of the freedoms that we have,” she said.
“Due to high shipping costs, we are unable to accept bags of rice,” Galiza said. “Cash or checks to help the families and get rice to our troops can be dropped off at the Celebration of Freedom, or anytime, at the Aloha Church.” he added.
“Mahalo for your love and support of our local men and women in uniform and their families.”
For more information, please call 241-7177.
