When the community quickly rose to the challenge of Hale Uluwehi Kauai Fund’s offer to match donations of $100 or greater up to $5,000 to The Garden Island/Zonta Christmas Fund, Yoshiko “Dimples” Kano wasn’t surprised.
“I knew that would happen,” said the 92-year-old, who has led the fund for two decades.
She didn’t know this: The Hale Uluwehi Kauai Fund has upped its offer to $10,000.
That means your donation of $100 is basically doubled to $200. And it goes to help people like Taylor, a father who is trying to turn the page on an old chapter of his life.
He grew up running the streets, began to engage in criminal activity and became involved with drugs. He ultimately got arrested and was placed on probation. He is working and participated in substance abuse treatment.
He is also doing his best to care for his family. His wife, Jasmine, is a loving and attentive mother. She grew up in foster care so she wants to make sure she provides a better life for their children. She has a job lined up but can’t afford childcare.
Their three kids, Sabrina, Ashley and Dominick, are happy and active and can often be found playing games with mom when they aren’t at school.
Taylor and Jasmine don’t want anything for themselves, but would appreciate toys or clothing for the kids. They would love to spoil their kids with gifts, but aren’t able to do so at the moment.
The Garden Island/Zonta Christmas Fund has been around since the 1980s. 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.
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.
Each donated dollar is accounted for and carefully recorded. There are no administrators collecting salaries.
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.
One upcoming fundraiser for the Christmas Fund includes:
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.
