TGI/Zonta thanks community for brightening holidays of less fortunate

LIHU‘E — Through the help and contributions to The Garden Island and Zonta Club of Kaua‘i, at least 475 individuals celebrated a brighter holiday season in 2012.

Nine local social service agencies responded to the Zonta Club of Kaua‘i’s request for case stories of those in need, especially during the holidays, states a release from the Zonta Club of Kaua‘i.

Participating agencies included Alu Like, Inc., the county’s Agency of Elderly Affairs, Child and Family Service, the state’s Department of Health/Services for Developmentally Disabled, Easter Seals of Hawai‘i, Hale Kipa, the Kaua‘i Adult Day Health Center, Kaua‘i Economic Development, the YWCA Shelter and others.

With the help of these agencies, 273 adults and more than 220 children received gift cards to purchase items they needed or requested in their individual case stories.

The anonymous letters were published daily in The Garden Island newspaper from Nov. 23 through Christmas Eve.

The requests from several adults in need of transportation yielded a pair of one-month bus passes.

Also, Lynn Kubota of the Pono Market ‘Ohana in Kapa‘a created six infant and toddler quilts featuring colorful designs and patterns. These were distributed to the agencies for presentation to mothers with small children and infants.

During a special luncheon presentation, representatives from Child and Family Service, Easter Seals, Hale Kipa, the KEO and YWCA received their quilts.

“We cannot thank the community enough, for once again coming forward to help those who are really in need, and appreciate so much, the sharing of aloha from the kind people who care,” said Melinda Uohara, Zonta Club of Kaua‘i Foundation chair. “We look forward to reaching out to touch the lives of those in need, again in 2013.”

• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.