TGI, Zonta team up to help needy

LIHU‘E — The Garden Island newspaper and the Zonta Club of Kaua‘i are teaming up again this year and asking the community to help make the holidays happier for less-fortunate residents through The Garden Island/Zonta Christmas Fund.

From now through Christmas Eve, 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. Checks made payable to Zonta Club of Kaua‘i Foundation can be mailed to P.O. Box 3032, Lihu‘e, HI 96766. For more information, call Yoshiko “Dimples” Kano, chair of The Garden Island/Zonta Christmas Fund Committee, at 822-9882.

Young woman looking for household items

Melinda is a young woman who is diagnosed with intellectual disabilities and mental health concerns. Melinda has dreamed all her life of living independently like other women her age. Just a few months ago, that dream was realized as she was able to move out of her family home and into an apartment. Melinda has been enjoying her new independent living situation, but it has also been very challenging for her to live without her family for the first time ever. Melinda has been especially challenged financially having to be responsible for all of her bills and basic needs. She is often left at the end of the month without any extra money left over after she covers the bare necessities. Melinda has worked in the past, but is currently unemployed. She searches and applies for multiple jobs each day. She is still waiting for someone to give her a chance to prove herself in a work setting again.

Because of her limited resources, Melinda’s apartment is rather bare. She could really benefit from some simple furniture and household items to make her apartment more comfortable and kitchen items that she could use in learning to prepare meals for herself. Case # GZ/D.3

Assist a family of 5 with food, clothing

Jennifer comes from a family of five, with both parents working full time. She is diagnosed with developmental disabilities. Jennifer needs constant care and supervision and is totally dependent on her parents. Her father works during the day, and her mother cares for her during the day. Then, her mother works the “graveyard shift” and her father provides the care during the evenings and overnight. Jennifer’s parents are very dedicated to Jennifer and took these jobs so that they could ensure that at least one of them would be available at all times for Jennifer. Jennifer’s siblings are a couple of years older.

With today’s economy and having the expenses of housing food and clothing for a family of five, the family just barely meets their monthly needs. The family as a whole could use any assistance with food, clothing, and/or toys for the children for the holidays. Case # GZ/D.4

Pre-teen boy appreciates holiday cheer

Alex is a pre-teen boy with moderate intellectual disabilities. He currently lives with his mother, who is a single parent. Alex’s mother is unable to provide all that she would like to for Alex due to financial hardship. Alex spends much of this time doing independent activities that he enjoys such as playing ball, blowing bubbles, playing with cars, watching DVDs, riding his bike and working with stickers and coloring books.

Alex would love to get some new toys and DVDs to brighten his holiday season. The family could also benefit from some extra food and clothing. Thank you. Case # GZ/D.5

Karaoke machine would help teen build confidence

Kay Lee is an 18-year-old female who is intellectually disabled with Down syndrome. She resides with her mother and is currently home schooled. She has a Personal Assistance Habilitation worker who works on her goals to increase her independence. One of her goals is to be able to communicate more effectively with others to increase her independent skills and confidence. Kay would be happy to own new clothing or a karaoke machine as she enjoys singing. Owning a karaoke machine would provide another way of strengthening Kay’s speech and language skills. Thank you for any assistance that you are able to support for Kay and her family.

Case # GZ/D.6

New clothes would help Ben shine

Ben Jammin is a 12-year-old male who is intellectual disabled with seizures. He currently lives with his mother (who is also intellectually disabled), grandmother, uncles and cousins. He attends a local school and has a Personal Assistance Habilitation worker during the weekends. Ben is socially friendly and has lots of energy. He enjoys swimming, car rides, participating in Special Olympics and playing games. Ben is limited with his speech and language skills as well as his socialization skills. He would be happy to own new jeans and a jacket. Owning new clothing will increase his self-confidence and socialization skills. Thank you for any assistance that you are able to support for Ben and his family. Case # GZ/D.7

Teen would love clothes, music player

Jasmine Ali is a 15-year-old female who is intellectually disabled and with mental health disorders. She is currently homeless along with her mother and brother who also has special needs. She attends a local school and has a Personal Habilitation worker during the weekends. Jasmine enjoys swimming, dancing, listening to music. She would be happy to own a MP3 player/iPod or new clothes. Thank you for any assistance that you are able to support for Jasmine and her family. Case # GZ/D.8

Books, clothing would make Stacy’s day

Stacy Kea is a 26-year-old female who is intellectually disabled. She resides with her mother. She enjoys going to her Adult Day Health Program and community outings and other activities with her Personal Assistance Habilitation worker. Stacy enjoys dancing, listening to music and looking at books. Stacy would be happy to own books or clothing. Thank you for any assistance that you are able to support to Stacy and her family. Case # GZ/ D.9

Help Cane jump start his yard business

Cane Jones is a 21-year-old male with Fragile X syndrome. He resides with his mother. Cane has a Personal Assistance Habilitation worker that works on his goals of being more independent. Cane enjoys listening to music, playing sports and doing yard work. His goal is to one day begin a yard work business. Cane would be happy to own yard tools to help jump start his self-employment business. Thank you for any assistance that you are able to support for Cane and his family. Case # GZ/D.10

Woman wishes for warm jacket, under garments

Melelani has lived in an Adult Foster Home for almost 20 years and is developmentally disabled. She doesn’t have family members on the island and rarely receives gifts/cards from family in California. Melelani wants to purchase warm clothing as well as much needed underwear. She’s always so excited for any help, as she knows that money is very hard to come by. Case # GZ/D.11