LIHUE — Pomai Texeira, 5, was so excited Friday, she almost missed school, the girl’s mother said. Pomai was with her family Friday afternoon relishing her new bicycle, her favorite toy, and her favorite Christmas tree ornament at The Salvation
LIHUE — Pomai Texeira, 5, was so excited Friday, she almost missed school, the girl’s mother said.
Pomai was with her family Friday afternoon relishing her new bicycle, her favorite toy, and her favorite Christmas tree ornament at The Salvation Army holiday distribution.
Another lady was not so fortunate, telling Salvation Army Cadet Helen Reyes that she had been sick in the hospital and did not have time to come in and fill out a Holiday Assistance form.
“We’re still working things out,” said Salvation Army Major Mario Reyes. “We were out of turkeys, but managed to get a few, and there were about two dozen people who dropped off turkeys so we were able to give away a few birds.”
Reyes said the Salvation Army is still working with the Toys for Tots program to get orders for its Angel Tree fulfilled in time for Christmas.
“The Kauai High School Key Club people should be here any minute,” Reyes said while watching more families walk off with armloads of neatly-wrapped presents.
Scott Nonaka of the Kiwanis International, the sponsoring unit for the Key Club, said the students conducted a food drive for the Salvation Army, and despite Kauai High School having its Winter Ball, still had to come up with students to help ring bells at the red kettle stations.
Meghan Leary had to get her sister ready for the Winter Ball, but came to help Nonaka and fellow Key Club member Rochelle Cadiente unload about 250 pounds of food collected by the students.
“It was hard to find students to man the kettles,” said Kiwanis advisor Cheryl Shintani. “But we got some so the kettles will be manned.”
Additionally, former Kauai High School Key Club students Tyler and Travis Navarro, arriving home for the holidays from college, added in 329 pounds of food, Nonaka said.
Charlene Navarro, advisor for the Kauai High School Key Club, rushed off after forgetting another 40 pounds of food in the classroom, placing the total contribution at more than 600 pounds.
“This is in addition to the fresh meat and vegetables brought over by Tyler,” Nonaka said.
The key clubs of both Kauai High School and Kapaa High School do the food drive to help the Salvation Army during the holidays. Marissa Goo, a student with the Kapaa Key Club, rolled in with a package and an Angel Tree tag.
“I missed the deadline at school, but knew they were going to be here today so I brought my contribution,” said Goo, who excused herself to do more errands.
