LIHU‘E — Envoy Joy Groenleer almost did not make her quota Wednesday morning at the Salvation Army, Lihu‘e Corps. With less than 30 minutes remaining before the doors opened to the holiday distribution, she was still about 30 toys short
LIHU‘E — Envoy Joy Groenleer almost did not make her quota Wednesday morning at the Salvation Army, Lihu‘e Corps.
With less than 30 minutes remaining before the doors opened to the holiday distribution, she was still about 30 toys short of filling holiday requests, said Envoy Larry Groenleer.
Fortunately, that problem was solved when Larry returned from a morning collection from the fire stations.
That collection amounted to more than 30 toys that Joy needed for her holiday lists. Even better, Larry said a lot of the toys he brought back filled children’s requests on the list.
Joy, who coordinated the Red Kettle Drive, the Angel Tree program, and the holiday distribution, Wednesday, said this year, more than 500 children will have something under the Christmas tree due to the contributions of people in the community.
Wednesday’s distribution took in 17 different community agencies with more than 2,600 gifts.
Additionally, Joy said the Lihu‘e Corps has appointments for more than 230 families, with an additional 20, or more scheduled for Thursday pick ups.
“This is all possible because of the tremendous help we get from the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program,” said Joy, who only Monday, was blessed with discovering a krugerrand coin in one of her Red Kettles. “We’re going all the way with this. People are still able to come in and we’ll try to find them something to make the holidays a little brighter.”
She said the number is about the same as last year when the Lihu‘e Corps distributed to more than 260 families at this same time.
The Red Kettle drive will continue through Christmas Eve, and Joy said volunteers are always welcome. Families who are now being overcome with the realization of the holidays are also welcome through Christmas.
For more information, or to volunteer for a turn at the Red Kettles, call 245-2571, or 335-5441.
