LIHUE — More than 400 walkers took advantage of the cool misty autumn air to enjoy the 48th annual Kauai United Way Walk-A-Thon at the Kukui Grove Center which was bristling with activity for its annual Halloween Festival. “I forgot
LIHUE — More than 400 walkers took advantage of the cool misty autumn air to enjoy the 48th annual Kauai United Way Walk-A-Thon at the Kukui Grove Center which was bristling with activity for its annual Halloween Festival.
“I forgot the Halloween costume contest was today,” one dismayed parent said. “He just has to go as a Boy Scout since he walked at the United Way Walk.”
The Boy Scouts were just part of the walkers who generated more than $20,000 at the event. Lenny Rapozo, representing Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr., said the money raised by Kauai United Way stays on Kauai.
“Kauai United Way represents a means for Kauai people to take care of Kauai people,” said Scott Giarman, the Kauai United Way executive director. “If not us, who is going to do it?”
Kaiser Permanente and HMSA sponsored the walk along with other volunteers like Joanie Morita who got the adrenalin flowing. The Kapaa High School Interact Club offered walkers a spread of fruits and assorted breakfast goodies following the walk around Kukui Grove Center.
“In the past walks, the final dollars-raised amount has turned out to be significantly more as pledge packets continue to come in the week following the walk,” Giarman said. “Half of the monies raised by walkers will go to a Kauai nonprofit of the walker’s choice, making the Kauai United Way Walk-A-Thon the easiest way for nonprofits to raise money on Kauai. The remaining half of the raised amount go to support the vital work of Kauai United Way’s crucial Partner Agencies.”
The KUW Walk-A-Thon was founded by Kauai optometrist Dr. Arthur Loo in 1970 as a way for the lesser-known nonprofit groups to raise money for themselves while providing an adjunct to the Kauai United Way Annual Campaign to support the social service needs of the island.
The first walks started in Hanapepe and Moloaa, converging after 17 miles in Lihue.
Today, the walk is a safe, symbolic stroll around the shopping center, ending with breakfast.
Kauai United Way’s annual campaign goal is $650,000. The campaign helps the entire island through Kauai United Way’s umbrella of partner agencies which offer an array of more than 80 social service programs that help tens of thousands of people each year.
Last year, more than 35,000 people were served through Kauai United Way partner agencies.
