PO‘IPU — Smiles of gratefulness and appreciation peppered the collection of family gift boxes and individually created gift holiday stockings Friday at the Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club. “This year, we weren’t able to have Cathy Veatch, the program’s creator, to
PO‘IPU — Smiles of gratefulness and appreciation peppered the collection of family gift boxes and individually created gift holiday stockings Friday at the Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club.
“This year, we weren’t able to have Cathy Veatch, the program’s creator, to enjoy this event with us,” a spokesperson for the Waiohai said. “But we were able to increase the number of beneficiaries to at least four organizations.”
Representatives of The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree and Prison Ministries, Kaua‘i Economic Opportunity, the Department of Human Services and the Community Service for the Developmentally Disabled Kaua‘i reveled in the sea of gift boxes for families as well as the collection of Christmas stockings filled with cheer.
“This year, our associates created 50 Christmas stockings for children, drawing on children’s requests through the Angel Tree program, or agency requests,” said the spokesperson. “The resort provided supplies and materials to create 36 gift boxes which are earmarked for families who are homeless, or are in need.”
Started several years ago by Veatch, the Waiohai hosts an associates’ stocking decorating contest centered around the request made by a needy child.
Using their individual creativity, they create individual masterpieces which are designed to captivate and impress the young recipient, the contents of the stockings having less value than the creativity which goes into the packaging.
Prizes contributed by the resort are distributed and the prized stockings join the field which will spark smiles of delight and appreciation on Christmas.
Over the years, the Waiohai’s unique stocking decorating contest has brightened children from the Catholic Charities, the Koloa Elementary School and The Angel Tree. New this year is the Department of Human Services, Child Welfare Kaua‘i division.
Visit www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/lihwi-marriotts-waiohai-beach-club/ for more information on the resort located at 2249 Po‘ipu Road.
