HONOLULU — Some public schools statewide are getting free appliances thanks to a partnership between Servco Pacific Inc. and the state Department of Education.
Part of a donation program and giving campaign that celebrates Servco’s 100th anniversary, the company is providing $200,000 worth of appliances — largely washers and dryers for schools with high populations of students living in unstable housing conditions.
All appliances will be donated by Servco Home & Appliance Distribution, and the donation is part of Servco’s $1.5 million Centennial Service Campaign.
Rick Ching, president and chief operating officer of Servco, says the company chose the project because it takes some pressure off students and allows them to focus more on their education.
“Clean clothes should never be a barrier to a child’s education,” said Ching. “We hope these donations can help alleviate some of these issues, so our keiki can just be kids, and focus on what matters most: their education.”
The first of these donations was to Central Middle School, where a new washer and dryer will be installed. Total value of the donation to Central Middle School is $9,000, and includes ranges, hoods and refrigerators installed in the school’s Takai Transition Center.
That center aims to provide a safe and stable foundation for newly-arrived students and families to acclimate into their new community.
“School should be a safe space where all students feel a sense of belonging and have equitable access to opportunities regardless of their family’s socioeconomic status,” said DOE Superintendent Christina Kishimoto. “Mahalo to Servco for their generous donation that will help our most-vulnerable students and their families have access to resources that will help them take care of some of their most basic needs. That way, they can focus on their educational goals.”
A portion of the $200,000 appliance donation will also go to help curriculum enrichment, including new kitchen appliances for Campbell High School and Roosevelt High School’s culinary programs, and a special education program at Moanalua High School.
Servco is a diversified business with operations in automotive distribution and retail, car-sharing, appliance distribution and retail, and capital investments. It is one of the Top 20 largest automotive dealer groups based in the U.S. and has been recognized as one of the “Best Places to Work in Hawaii” for 15 consecutive years.
