Kenny is 14. His Christmas wish? A warm bed, clothes and food. The teenager is homeless. He has been on probation since he was caught stealing food so that he could eat and bring food to his parents. He misses
Kenny is 14. His Christmas wish? A warm bed, clothes and food.
The teenager is homeless. He has been on probation since he was caught stealing food so that he could eat and bring food to his parents. He misses a lot of school but has realized that he will not get anywhere without proper schooling. Kenny wants to make things right and eventually go to college. He doesn’t have a secure roof over his head but is looking forward to someday having a warm bed and nice clothes and a decent meal in front of him.
Then, there is Kaleo. He is also homeless and lives on fixed disability benefits and food stamps. He dropped out of high school but is determined to finish high school equivalency courses through adult education. His goal is to find a job so that he can afford housing. He could use warm clothing, hygiene products and bus passes.
Kenny and Kaleo are two of the people who need help through the Garden Island/Zonta Christmas Fund.
This is a terrific time to donate. An anonymous benefactor through the Hawaii Community Foundation is offering a two-to-one match for every donation to the fund up to $10,000. That means if someone donates $20, the anonymous donor will pitch in double that with a $40 gift.
Yoshiko “Dimples” Kano, chair of The Garden Island/Zonta Christmas Fund Committee, said this is the first time in the fund’s history that an offer to double donations has been made. She said this is a wonderful opportunity for people to donate and have their gifts multiplied and make an even greater impact.
The need is great this year.
More than 600 children and adults are seeking assistance through the program. Social service agencies submitted about 275 cases for those seeking help.
The Garden Island encourages individuals, families, clubs, schools and businesses to rally behind the Christmas Fund.
Each donated dollar is carefully recorded, accounted for and spent wisely.
Donations are distributed by Zonta Club members, who purchase gift certificates at appropriate businesses to help make wishes come true.
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.
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.
Homeless,
health woes
Jerry has been homeless since he moved to Kauai six months ago. He thought he would be able to get a job in construction but has been unsuccessful. He has health problems, too, including a bad back. This Christmas, he could use a support pillow, new clothes and shoes.
Loves to garden
Sharon became homeless when the home she was renting went into foreclosure. She receives monthly Social Security disability benefits and food stamps. With her fixed income, she was not able to afford private rentals at this time. She applied for public housing and is on a lengthy wait list. Sharon stayed in an emergency shelter until she was able to move into subsidized housing. Although she is unable to work due to her disability, she spends her time gardening and painting.
