Matt is a disabled young man who became paralyzed due to an accident. He likes to read and watch TV and is kept busy with his regular physical therapy sessions. He lives with his family. They would appreciate a nice holiday meal at a restaurant since they are always caring for him.
David and Anita are struggling to keep their little family above water. They recently moved from the beach to transitional housing. David is working full time and Anita stays at home taking care of baby Katie. They need diapers, baby clothing, educational toys, and some bed linen and blankets as we approach the cooler temperatures at night.
G.T. has been the subject of a horrific divorce between his parents and has relocated to Kauai form New York with his father and grandparents.
G.T. has been exposed to ongoing domestic violence since his father’s return from multiple military deployments.
It is fair to say he has also experienced neglect due to his father’s PTSD symptoms.
G.T. misses his mother although she has been accused of physically and emotionally abusing him since he was an infant.
His confusion regarding his difficult childhood has resulted in him having angry/violent outbursts at school and at home that keep him isolated from social norms.
G.T. has made great strides in treatment and is beginning to feel stabilized in his home. G.T. loves electronics and games.
The Garden Island shares daily stories through Christmas Eve about real people (we don’t use their real names) facing challenges and who would appreciate a little help through The Garden Island/Zonta Christmas Fund.
In the past two years, the fund has raised more than $50,000, and every dollar has gone toward bringing joy to those who otherwise would likely go without anything on Christmas.
This program has been around since the 1980s and is headed up by Dimples Kano, 93, who has led it for nearly two decades and refuses to retire because she loves the happiness it brings to others.
This year, about 400 families applied for assistance.
Donations to the Christmas Fund are used by Zonta Club members to purchase local gift certificates that are in turn distributed via social service agencies to families in December.
Anyone who donates $50 or more is welcome to have their picture in TGI.
Please swing by our Lihue office between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday to Friday.
If you know of any fundraiser for the Christmas Fund, let us know and we’ll spread the word.
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 822-4517.
