LIHUE — Walkers participating in Saturday’s United Way Walk-a-thon raise money for not only the agency but for their group as well, said Lynette Medrano-Stine of the Kauai United Way.
“That’s probably why the Kauai High School Key Club has their first fundraiser of the year with the walk,” Medrano-Stine said. “It’s simple. There is nothing to sell, nothing to organize except the pledge forms.”
The sea of red-shirted Kauai High School Key Club members were among the nearly 450 walkers who turned out Saturday for the annual event sponsored by the Hawaii Medical Service Association at Kukui Grove Center.
Lili Conant of HMSA said that in addition to the walk, HMSA will host a rummage sale offering baked goods, sweet treats and slightly used treasures at its offices near the Kukui Grove Cinemas on Halloween to benefit the Kauai United Way. The event starts Wednesday at 8:15 a.m. and continues while supplies last.
On Saturday, many of the participants, notably the younger set, took advantage of the “dress in costume” option to be able to participate in both the walk and the Kukui Grove Halloween Festival that followed.
The Kapaa High School Interact Club had more than a hundred members in baby-blue shirts working as breakfast servers in the food court area, and others walking with the entourage that circled the parking lot. Soon-to-graduate Kauai Drug Court clients and staff served as traffic monitors.
Other groups with big turnouts included the Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Women in Need, the Easter Seals of Hawaii, People Attentive to Children, and even the Ae Kamalii Preschool.
Lori Almarza, the Kauai United Way office manager, estimated the event raised more than $22,000, taking into consideration the final deadline for money to be turned in is Nov. 12.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
