LIHU‘E — Wayne Costa of D &W Service Auto Maintenance Repair said if his wife had her way, the whole checkbook would go to the Kaua‘i United Way. Wayne is the father of Calvin and Sheldon Costa, brothers who won
LIHU‘E — Wayne Costa of D &W Service Auto Maintenance Repair said if his wife had her way, the whole checkbook would go to the Kaua‘i United Way.
Wayne is the father of Calvin and Sheldon Costa, brothers who won the Top Gun and Pro ET brackets of the Garden Isle Racing Association drag race program for 2011.
Tuesday, Wayne presented the Kaua‘i United Way staff a check representing the winnings of the two top brackets of the drag racing series at the Kaua‘i Raceway Park in Mana.
“Our mother, Dawn, came up with the idea of giving back,” Calvin said. “We just want to help out.”
Wayne said the contribution amounted to $1,200 for the two divisions.
“We are thrilled D & W Services, Wayne and Dawn Costa and their sons, Calvin and Sheldon, located in the Lihu‘e Industrial Park II would think to donate their winnings from their racing success to our community in this way,” said Scott Giarman, executive director of the Kaua‘i United Way. “And, coming during this holiday time, this is just heartwarming.”
Wayne said the decision to give to the Kaua‘i United Way is because the family wanted to help as many people as possible.
“This is a unique situation,” Wayne said. “The two boys winning the top two divisions in the series. They’ve been racing from when they were small kids, starting as Junior Dragsters and working up.”
Wayne, who also races in the divisions, said his sons beat him out.
“Because we’re in the same division, it’s inevitable I’m going to meet them somewhere, and it’s usually in the semifinals or finals,” Wayne said. “But they’re young and can see better than me so they win.”
Wayne said both Calvin and Sheldon are recent graduates of the Wyo Tech University in Sacramento, California. Both graduates finished in the top 10 in a class of 48.
“I thank and praise the Lord they both came home,” Wayne said. “The school wanted them to stay up there because the Wyo Tech graduates are highly sought after by auto dealerships up there. Now, they’re both home and hopefully can take over this business so I can stay home and watch TV.”
Giarman, who was joined by Lynnette Medrano-Stine and Lori Almarza of the KUW, was truly appreciative of the gift.
“No small business is feeling rich these days,” Giarman said. “But that’s all the more reason to give to our community — because the need is greater. Kaua‘i United Way is the ideal way to do it because it supports dozens of social service programs, all on Kaua‘i, which benefits the whole community. We encourage other small businesses to follow the example of D & W Services. There is no doubt in my mind that D & W Services will receive more in the way of new business than they gave in this gift. That’s the way the world works — you do good things and good things come back to you.”
The Kaua‘i United Way 2011 Annual Campaign which runs through March, is currently at about 65 percent of its ambitious goal.
To be eligible for deduction on 2011 federal and state taxes, contributions must be received before Jan. 1 and can be done by visiting www.kauaiunitedway.org, or by calling 245-2043.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
