LIHU‘E — Four Kaua‘i nonprofit organizations have received grants from Enterprise Holdings, the owner of the Alamo, Enterprise and National car rental agencies.
The company made the donations through its new “ROAD Forward” initiative, which promises to give $35 million to local nonprofits in the U.S. and Europe over the next five years.
Recipients included the Kaua‘i branches of the Boys & Girls Club of Hawai‘i ($1,500) and Child & Family Service ($1,000). Parents And Children Together ($1,500) and Boys to Men Networking ($1,500), which offer programming on Kaua‘i.
“Thanks to Enterprise Holdings the youth and families are prepared and ready to start the school year,” said Tina Albao, a director for the Kaua‘i Boys & Girls Club. “We want to thank Enterprise Holdings for recognizing the Boys & Girls Club of Hawai‘i and a very special mahalo to Mark Cochrane from our corporate board of directors for keeping BGCH close to his heart.”
ROAD Forward grant recipients address social and racial inequity through work in early childhood development, youth health and wellness, and career and college preparation, according to Enterprise Holdings.
The Kaua‘i Boys & Girls Club will use its donation to fuel the purchase of back-to-school supplies.
“For some that may be home lunch, school supplies, and/or shoes or clothing,” Albao said. “Every family has different needs and this grant could not have come at a better time.”
A local representative of Child & Family Service did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The organization’s website lists a full slate of programs on Kaua‘i, including an after-school club, preschool education services and other youth-oriented initiatives.
Enterprise Holdings granted 15 Hawai‘i nonprofits, including those listed above, with a combined $33,000 in total. Local employees selected the beneficiaries, according to Hawai‘i Rental Sales Manager Gaelynn Samonte.
“ROAD Forward empowers Enterprise employees, across all our 70 operating groups, to identify pressing issues in our local communities,” she said.
Samonte added Enterprise will also contact Hawai‘i grant recipients to discuss potential volunteer opportunities.
“That’s something we definitely want to do moving forward,” she said.
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Scott Yunker, general assignment reporter, can be reached at 245-0437 or syunker@thegardenisland.com.
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That means the county will not be able to collect on the 3% tax on rental property cars.