KEKAHA — A picture showing the Kekaha Credit Union participating in the “3rd War Loan Drive” said it all — Kekaha Credit Union has been giving and supporting the community for a long time.
The picture is hung behind the drinking-water station and the temperature-check station that are signs of the current measures being taken to battle COVID-19 and its variants, demonstrating the legacy of time and eras that Kekaha Credit Union has been giving and supporting the community.
“This is from Kekaha,” said Kekaha Credit Union Manager Ursline Munar as she check-listed the various gifts and certificates that were picked up by The Salvation Army Hanapepe Corps Lt. Amy Lewis Thursday. “We’re all from Kekaha. The presents are from the members who are all Kekaha residents. This is from Kekaha.”
According to Munar, the Kekaha Credit Union received 30 Angel Tree gifts that included presents and gift cards. The Red Kettle collections from a kettle set up at the credit union were not included in the tally of presentations that wrapped up this year’s holiday contributions from the credit union and its members.
“Our Kekaha branch team sponsored four gift tags together in addition to picking individual gift tags for the team’s families,” Munar said. “We are thankful for the generosity and support — especially during this pandemic — from all our Kekaha Credit Union members.”
As the days count down to Christmas, The Salvation Army Hawaiian &Pacific Islands Division is in the midst of its 2021 Hope Marches On campaign that is being led by sponsors Central Pacific Bank Foundation, Dominos Hawai‘i, Hawaiian Electric Industries and iHeartMEDIA Honolulu, with additional support from Aloha Kia.
“We are seeking monetary and in-kind donations as well as volunteers to join with us to help keep Hope Marching On for those in need,” said Maj. Phil Lum, divisional commander for The Salvation Army Hawaiian &Pacific Islands Division.
“Once again, due to the ongoing pandemic, we have fewer kettles out in Hawai‘i. It is important to remember that Red Kettle, Angel Tree and monetary donations stay in the communities where they are donated,” said Lum.
”There are also various ways to donate online, allowing the community to raise funds not only for Christmas gifts for keiki and kupuna, but also to provide support for social-service programs and those in need throughout the year.”
Lewis said in addition to the Red Kettle bell ringers, the Hanapepe Corps started wrapping toys and other gifts Saturday.
Last year, more than 31,000 gifts were donated through the Angel Tree program in Hawai‘i.
There are several ways to support the Angel Tree program, including selecting traditional angel tags from physical Angel Trees, purchasing gifts online via the Angel Tree Gift Registries via Walmart that can be shopped to fulfill Angel Tree requests for those in need at the Lihu‘e or Hanapepe Corps, making a register donation at any Burger King location, or supporting the virtual Angel Trees online.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
