Pua is a single mother of two adorable children. Sabrina is 2 years old and her brother Xavier is turning 1. Pua recently became employed, got herself out of an abusive relationship and takes part in services regularly to support her children. She doesn’t receive child support from the children’s father.
Pua is looking forward to treating her children for the holidays as she has a job but she makes minimum wage and any extra help would bring joy to them this year.
Cadence is a 5-month-old baby who is hearing impaired, having received a hearing loss diagnosis at Kapiolani Medical Center. She is being fit for hearing aids, being considered for a cochlear implant and her family has made multiple visits to Oahu for auditory appointments.
Her family is hard-working and close-knit. They rely on government assistance for help with their needs and health insurance. A gift card would be of great assistance to help the family provide presents for Cadence.
The Garden Island/Zonta Christmas Fund is in full swing — receiving strong community support — to assist people like Pua and Cadence. The fund helps hundreds of families on Kauai each year.
The fund has been around more than three decades. Here’s how it works: Families apply for assistance through social service agencies, which in turn connect with the Zonta Club of Kauai. It uses donations to buy gift
certificates for those in need. The certificates can be used for gifts and groceries.
The Garden Island shares daily stories about those who could use assistance this holiday season. While the names are not real, the situations described are.
Each donated dollar is accounted for and carefully recorded. There are no administrators collecting salaries.
New this year, the Hale Uluwehi Kauai Fund announced that it will provide a dollar-for-dollar match for donations of $100 or greater. It will match the total up to $5,000 and, if there’s great success, will consider adjusting that figure higher.
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 may have his or her picture presenting the check published in TGI.
Some upcoming fundraisers for the Christmas Fund include:
w The Ocean Course at Hokuala is offering a chance for ladies to learn about golf while contributing to a holiday program to help those in need. Kellie Hines, PGA golf professional at the Ocean Course at Hokuala, will be holding a workshop on golf basics from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 17. Cost is $20. To register, call 241-6000.
w “Nutcracker Sweets” is Kauai Dance Theatre’s winter showcase on Saturday, 4 p.m. at Lihue Parish Hall. Donations of $5. Join us for this 45-minute dance performance featuring music from the Nutcracker and inspirational holiday tunes. Info: Director Janie Crane, 332-9737 or jbcdance@hotmail.com
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 more information, call 822-4517.
