A little history is in order.
The Zonta Club of Kauai was started April 1, 1952 and in the ’80s added the Zonta Club of Kauai Foundation, a nonprofit for fundraising.
All Zonta Clubs are a member of Zonta International, active in 63 countries with over 30,000 worldwide. The mission is to empower women through service and advocacy. Zonta International celebrated its 100th year Nov. 8.
In the 1980s, Zonta Club of Kauai partnered with TGI to publish stories — with information provided by social agencies — about their client’s needs so they could have a brighter Christmas.
We’ve been at it since.
In the nearly four decades this program has been going, it’s helped thousands of people, young and old. And that’s all possible because people like you have donated this fund. Those donations have been from change in a toddler’s bank to hundreds from a fundraiser to thousands from an anonymous benefactor.
And the gift of giving continues this season, as hundreds of requests for help from the Zonta Club Christmas Fund have come in from families and individuals.
Last year’s contributions totaled $24,866.
Here’s how it works:
Through Christmas Eve, The Garden Island shares daily, front-page stories about families (we don’t use their real names) facing challenges and who would appreciate a little help.
Donations to the Christmas Fund are used by Zonta Club members to bring holiday cheer to families and individuals through the social service agencies.
Each donation is accounted for and recorded. There are no administrators collecting salaries.
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 can have their picture presenting the gift published in TGI.
The Hawaii Community Foundation Kauai Office reported that a donor would like to challenge the community to help raise funds for the Zonta Club’s Christmas Fund. The donor has pledged to match any donation over $150 up to $5,000.
Donations may be made to: The Zonta Club of Kauai Foundation, PO Box, 3032, Lihue, 96766, or by way of their website: zonta-kauai.org.
