LIHU‘E — Through Christmas Eve, The Garden Island will share daily, front-page stories about families and individuals (we don’t use their real names), who are facing challenges and would appreciate a little help this holiday season.
The Christmas Fund is an avenue for everyone to provide that assistance. Donations are used by Zonta Club members to purchase gift certificates that are in turn distributed to families and individuals through social-service agencies.
Each donation is accounted for and recorded. There are no administrative costs involved, and money goes directly to provide for those in need of Christmas presents and groceries.
If you hold a fundraiser for the Christmas Fund, let us know and we’ll spread the word. Anyone making a donation of $200 or more can have their picture published in TGI.
Donations may be made by way of the website, Zonta-Kaua‘i.org, or checks can be made payable to The Zonta Club of Kaua‘i Foundation, P.O. Box 3032, Lihu‘e, HI 96766.
The following are some of stories we would like to share with our readers.
• Issac and Ida are a young couple with an 10-month-old son. They are just now starting to put their lives back together with support from their families after personal struggles. They are a single family household and every penny is stretched. This year they would like to have toddler learning toys and books for their baby and gift cards for food for them. They would appreciate any gift presented.
• Daisy is a single female, who has struggled with sobriety her whole life. She has started rebuilding her life and has returned to school to help people in recovery. Daisy would appreciate gift cards for food and household items this year.
• Jude is a single father of two teenage children — a boy Jacob and a girl Julie. Jude recently moved into housing after being homeless for a while and would appreciate any household items, laundry and gift cards. His children are requesting gift cards to Walmart or Target. Anything would help this family during this time.
• Nicole is a single female who works full time over night shifts and still struggles to make ends meet or have a healthy social life. Nicole would appreciate gift cards to purchase household supplies to include, kitchen supplies, toilet paper, paper towel, feminine hygiene supplies and laundry supplies.
• The Jasper family recently moved into housing with their three granddaughters of who they have custody. This year they would like to make sure their grandchildren are taken care of. They are requesting art supplies, books and backpacks or duffle bags for their granddaughters.
• Melvin is a father of three boys who shares custody with his ex-wife. This year has been a struggle for him as he recently got hurt at work and has had his income drastically cut. For the holidays he would like to request a gift card for his older son, Transformer toys and Lego’s for his middle son and Play-Doh or art supplies for his young son. He would be grateful for any assistance this year.
• Donna is a single mother of three who continues to seek opportunities to increase her wage to support her family. As a single earning household, Donna works full time to support her children and still struggles to make ends meet. Donna would appreciate gift cards to purchase household items, toilet paper, paper towel, laundry supplies and food.
• Jasmine is a mother of two teenage boys ages 13 and 17. Jasmine is working to regain her independence after fleeing an abusive relationship. Jasmine enjoys spending quality time with her children, reading, self-care and listening to music. Her 13-year-old son loves basketball, video games, reading and drawing. Her 17-year-old son enjoys video games, basketball, reading and cooking.
