Young Professional Network spearheads clothing drive

LIHU‘E — Members of the Kaua‘i Board of Realtors, Young Professional Network committee spent their Monday delivering four truckloads of donated clothing to assist the Women In Need, the YWCA of Kaua‘i, and Nana’s House of Child and Family Service in Waimea.

The donated clothing resulted after the YPN committee chaired by Christina Appleby did a call to the Realtor membership.

“With such a short notice, we were surprised with what we collected,” Appleby said. “We were able to distribute four truck loads of donated clothing for men, women, and children to these nonprofit service providers.”

Appleby noted a special mahalo goes to the Contractors Association of Kaua‘i, and Shioi Construction who brought items from O‘ahu specifically for the families in the Kealaula project under the management of Women In Need that provides shelter and services for houseless families.

“COVID-19 just set us back a step,” Appleby said. “With an overflow of giving, the committee has decided to do another campaign to support organizations in need. With COVID-19, we found it important to assist families with other resources that are not available to them.”

President Elect Sharon Gibson said, “Every little big helps these families.”

YPN is a small, yet strong-bonded group of dedicated Realtor members who volunteer in the community, chaired by Appleby, Co-Chair Nani Leininger, President Elect Gibson, Affiliate Member Shyla Ayau, Robert Fain, and Sam Matola.

“We will continue with our annual Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity Build Days in Anahola and ‘Ele‘ele,” Appleby said. “And, we hope to one day soon be able to decorate the Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital Courtyard again, bringing Christmas joy to all the residents. We have not given up hope in these projects — it’s only a temporary break until the COVID-19 restrictions loosen up.”