Kauai’s young deal with challenges every day, including Mike and Faith. Let’s start with Mike, who is 15 years old and has Down syndrome. He lives with his single dad and 18-year-old brother. He is funny and fun to be
Kauai’s young deal with challenges every day, including Mike and Faith.
Let’s start with Mike, who is 15 years old and has Down syndrome. He lives with his single dad and 18-year-old brother. He is funny and fun to be around. He loves the music of Bob Marley. They are working on learning money skills, reading and grocery shopping. Mike would love it if he could have some financial assistance for some new clothes and food over the holidays.
And then, there is Faith. The 5-year-year old girl keeps smiling, even though she has severe intellectual disability cerebral palsy, neurological disorder, epilepsy, physical health problems, intraventricular hemorrhage and blindness. She enjoys soft gospel music and playing with toys and would like to have a toy that plays music or makes sounds when she touches it.
These are just two of the people who will receive assistance through The Garden Island/Zonta Christmas Fund.
Donations will be distributed by Zonta Club members, who purchase gift certificates at appropriate businesses to help make wishes come true.
The Garden Island/Zonta Christmas Fund was established in the early 1980s. Each donated dollar is carefully recorded, accounted for and spent wisely.
The Garden Island encourages individuals, clubs, schools and businesses to rally behind the Christmas Fund. Anyone making a donation of $500 or more can have their picture presenting the check published in TGI.
Only monetary donations can be accepted. Checks, payable to Zonta Club of Kauai Foundation, can be mailed to P.O. Box 3032, Lihue, HI., 96766.
Information: Yoshiko “Dimples” Kano, chair of The Garden Island/Zonta Christmas Fund Committee, 822-4517.
The following are more stories of people who could use help through The Garden Island/Zonta Christmas Fund. While the names have been changed, the situations described are real.
Fighting cancer
Ms. Wayne, 77, lives alone and never married. She was very dependent and used to drive her neighbors to and from their doctors appointments and shopping. Wayne manages to live on a small income, but has recently been diagnosed with liver cancer and is not doing well. Her only brother and neighbors try to help out, but all have their own health issues. Wayne could use a motorized wheelchair to help her get around her apartment.
Family working hard
Mike and Jenn are married couple with five children living in a small house. Jenn has a difficult and challenging childhood and she and Mike are trying to raise their children with less challenges than they themselves had as children. Mike and Jenn both work to provide for their family. Like many couples, Mike and Jenn have struggled in their relationship, but continue to work on improving their marriage. Finances are tight, but they are making ends meet. Both Jenn and Mike are high school graduates and have had success in maintain long-term employment. The family tries to utilize resources in the community, but continue to struggle financially.
Heart, health issues
Mr. Watrin is a younger senior with heart problems and other health issues. He is unable to drive, and even walking leaves him exhausted.
Bless the children
This is an intact family, mother has not been able to work in this past year because she had to stay home to care for her disabled husband. They have four children. Family strengths are spending time together at the dinner table and love. The 9-year-old daughter would love to have a manicure set so she can decorate her nails, 12-year-old daughter would like baking items as she loves to bake, 13-year-old son loves diving, he would really like some diving gear. Three-year-old son loves to play with Legos.
Man has cerebral palsy
Kevin Jones is a 22-year-old male with cerebral palsy, severe intellectual disability and seizures. Kevin likes listening to music and books. Kevin would really benefit from an iPad so that he is able to communicate his needs and wants and develop relationships with others. Kevin’s family has been solely responsible for his medical needs as he does not qualify for Medicaid and other support services at this time.
