Yoshiko “Dimples” Kano has been the driving force behind the The Garden Island/Zonta Christmas Fund for more than 20 years. And she’s back again. The reason she continues to lead this fundraiser to help the island’s needy is because she
Yoshiko “Dimples” Kano has been the driving force behind the The Garden Island/Zonta Christmas Fund for more than 20 years.
And she’s back again.
The reason she continues to lead this fundraiser to help the island’s needy is because she wants people young and old to enjoy the holidays as much as possible. She was delighted last year when donations totaled around $17,000, and she has high hopes the community can top that figure this year.
Let’s do all we can to make it happen — to keep Dimples smiling and to share Christmas cheer across Kauai.
If keiki and adults rally to this cause, if businesses and community organizations find ways to contribute, it will brighten the holidays for hundreds of families — and that includes many, many children who might otherwise go without what many among us take for granted on Christmas morning.
Here’s how the program works:
Through Christmas Eve, The Garden Island will share daily, front page stories about families (we don’t use their real names) facing challenges and who would appreciate a little help.
The Garden Island/Zonta Christmas Fund is an avenue for everyone to provide that assistance. Donations to the Christmas Fund will be distributed by Zonta Club members, who purchase gift certificates at appropriate businesses to make wishes come true.
Each donated dollar is accounted for and carefully recorded. Rest assured, the money is spent wisely.
There are no administrators collecting salaries. There are no hidden costs. The money goes directly to provide gift certificates to those who need them for gifts and groceries.
That’s the short and simple of it. But it’s impact is far-reaching.
The Garden Island/Zonta Christmas Fund was established in the early 1980s. Dimples says it has been rewarding to see so many families benefit through the generosity of the community.
“It’s brought a lot of happiness to families in need,” she said.
So let’s do our best to keep this program going strong. If you hold a fundraiser for the Christmas Fund, let us know and we’ll spread the word. Anyone making a donation of $50 or more can have their picture presenting the check published in TGI.
Only monetary donations are accepted. Checks, payable to Zonta Club of Kauai Foundation, can be mailed to P.O. Box 3032, Lihue, HI., 96766. For further information, call Kano at 822-9882
The following are stories of just a few of the people who could use our help. While their names have been changed, the situations described are real.
w Jenny is a young single mother raising her two-year-old daughter and one-year-old son. Jenny works a part-time job and attends college. Jenny’s son was treated recently for injuries that were inflicted to him due to physical abuse by a family member. Jenny has recently left an abusive relationship and is living on her own with her two young children. Jenny could use assistance with obtaining household furnishings like a baby gate and outlet covers so that she can make her home comfortable and safe for her and her children.
w Sandra is a woman who has experienced a long history of domestic violence. She has dedicated herself to taking classes in domestic violence awareness, addressing a past history of substance abuse. She has two daughters, ages three and one. The young girls would love arts and craft supplies for the holidays.
w Lauren is an infant born with cleft palate. Her mom has limited support. Lauren and her mom would benefit from diapers, baby wipes, baby food, baby clothes and hats. An activity mat would be great for Lauren’s development and would help mom keep her busy.
They could also use baby books and toys, teether rings and a fresh feeder, which is similar to a pacifier but made with net instead of rubber).
w Cassandra is a single grandmother who has cared for Ezekiel, her 13-year-old grandson, since he was a toddler. His parents are incarcerated.
Ezekiel receives services to help him manage his trauma related to his parent’s non-involvement. Cassandra is on a fixed income and holiday gifts for Ezekiel are often scarce.
He is an active child and loves to fish and dive, which often keeps him out of trouble.
