LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Visayan Club recently presented a $2,000 donation to the planning committee of the Kaua‘i Philippine Cultural Center. The Visayan Club, headed by Evelyn Basnillo, raised the money through fundraising efforts and presented at the Lihu‘e Neighborhood
LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Visayan Club recently presented a $2,000 donation to the planning committee of the Kaua‘i Philippine Cultural Center.
The Visayan Club, headed by Evelyn Basnillo, raised the money through fundraising efforts and presented at the Lihu‘e Neighborhood Center, in what organizers call a bonding gesture of partnership for the establishment of the Kaua‘i Philippine Cultural Center.
The Kaua‘i Visayan Club, headed by Basnillo and Virgie Cruzada, has a tradition of sponsoring events such as the International Costume Ball gala and others to promote cultural awareness. The funds raised go to Kaua‘i-based groups that are involved in charitable or cultural preservation work.
“This innovative approach conceived and steadfastly coordinated by the dedicated members of this organization has consistently been well-attended and supported by the community-at-large,” said Millie Wellington, committee chair for the Kaua‘i Philippine Cultural Center. “Upon hearing Lesther Calipjo’s call for a united effort to build a cultural center, the members of the Kaua‘i Visayan Club voted to have proceeds from their October 2012 gala event earmarked for Vision 2020.”
The Kaua‘i Philippine Cultural Center held its first major fund raising event at the Kaua‘i Marriott in April 2012. The more than 800 in attendance heard Calipjo, KPCC president, ask for community partnership for a project he called, Vision 2020. He said building a cultural center would preserve and maintain the island’s diverse ethnic roots and create a sense of place where all cultures would be able to share, teach and learn.
The Board of Directors of KPCC have researched existing cultural centers and sought community response to format its nearly completed Strategic Feasibility Study from which a comprehensive Business Plan will be developed.
The project has received from the state Legislature with a commitment of $1.5 million, and the Kaua‘i County Council and Grove Farm Company with a 99-year license agreement for a 3.5-acre site in Lihu‘e. The project leaders say that community support and partnering Filipino groups have made the larger commitment possible.
For further information please call Board Directors Marynel Valenzuela at 246 0147 or Oscar Portugal at 245 6566.
