Staff at The Garden Island newspaper and members of the Zonta Club of Kauai are again teaming up this year, and asking members of the community to help make the holidays happier for less-fortunate residents through the Zonta/The Garden Island
Staff at The Garden Island newspaper and members of the Zonta Club of Kauai are again teaming up this year, and asking members of the community to help make the holidays happier for less-fortunate residents through the Zonta/The Garden Island Christmas Fund. Most people look forward each year to the merriment and cheer of the holiday season, but there are far too many residents who barely make ends meet every day.
From now through Christmas Eve, Saturday, Dec. 24, The Garden Island will share stories of families who could use a little holiday cheer, along with an appeal for monetary donations of any size. The names have been changed to protect their privacy.
Funds raised will be distributed to needy families by Zonta Club members, who purchase gift certificates at appropriate businesses to help make these simple wishes come true.
Because of logistical limitations, only monetary donations can be accepted. Gift certificates and used or new items, while appreciated, should not be submitted.
Checks should be written to Zonta Club of Kauai Foundation 501(c)3.
Donations are tax-deductible, and should be mailed to Zonta Club of Kauai Foundation, c/o Joy Miura Koerte, P.O. Box 3996, Lihu’e, HI 96766. For more information, please contact Joy at 245- 3677.
Sweater and mu’umu’u are simple wishes
Pearl and Mary, mother and daughter, ages 85 and 63, respectively, live together in a very-modest, sparsely-furnished rental house. Pearl has severe arthritis, but does her best to take care of her daughter, Mary, who has special needs. These two ladies live very simple lives, but barely make ends meet, so there isn’t any money left over for extras. Pearl would like to be able to purchase a new sweater and Mary would love a new mu’umu’u.
Couple needs towels and sheets
Mr. and Mrs. Sonoma are an elderly couple, aged 95 and 92, respectively. Mr. Sonoma has poor physical health, and tires easily, but has excellent eyesight. Mrs. Sonoma is in pretty good physical health, but is legally blind, so they complement each other pretty well. The Sonomas live in subsidized housing and adhere to a very strict budget, but they still don’t always have enough money for their medications and all their other necessities, much less other things that would make life more comfortable. A new set of sheets and some new towels would brighten their holidays.
Joyce Yee could use something special
Joyce Yee, a 75-year-old retired teacher, is living on a fixed income, which doesn’t always allow for her to get things other than necessities. This is complicated more by some very complex and unusual medical problems which she has to deal with. Yee is still very mentally alert, but her physical ailments and monetary limitations often cause her to be very depressed. Being able to get a little something special for the holidays that isn’t a necessity would really brighten her spirits.