Struggling family, elderly residents need help
The Garden Island newspaper and the Zonta Club of Kauai are teaming up this year, and asking the community to help make the holidays happier for less-fortunate residents through the Zonta The Garden Island Christmas Fund.
From now through Christmas Eve, 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.
Loving family of 10 evicted, need rental
Celine and Christopher have recently been evicted from their home because the rental they were living in was sold. Celine works part-time cleaning, and her husband has a seasonal job while he looks for more permanent work. They have seven children ranging in age from one to 17 years old, and also care for a grandson. Celine and Christopher love their family and work hard to provide for them. At times they feel overwhelmed with stress, but faith sustains them. The family would be truly grateful for some new clothes and toys for the younger children, but their immediate need is help finding a rental that has enough rooms for this loving family of 10.
Wendy and Peter
need some joy
Wendy, 85, is the caregiver of her husband Peter, 81, who is battling cancer. Wendy is now having difficulty hearing and is required to wear hearing aids. The couple lives on a fixed income and has incurred much medical debt due to Peter’s treatment and Wendy’s hearing aids. As the sole caregiver and because of her age, Wendy is finding it harder and harder to take care of Peter and bring him to his doctor appointments. Any gift would be a great surprise to brighten their holiday season.
New clothing would make Ashley happy
Ashley lives alone in low income housing and collects Social Security. She works part time to try to supplement her monthly Social Security check and pay for previous medical bills not covered by her medical plan. Still, her job and benefits do not allow any extra money besides paying of medical debt and food. New clothing would brighten Ashley’s holiday season.
• Checks should be written to Zonta Club of Kauai Foundation. Donations are tax-deductible, and should be mailed to Zonta Club of Kauai Foundation, c/o Dimples Kano, P.O. Box 3032, Lihu‘e, HI 96766-6032. For more information, contact Dimples Kano at 822-9882.