PO‘IPU — The flute students were so impressed with Tara Helen O’Conner, that they were trembling and quivering with excitement, said Scott Giarman, executive director of the Kaua‘i United Way. Giarman said Personal Financial Consultants hosted a fundraiser at the
PO‘IPU — The flute students were so impressed with Tara Helen O’Conner, that they were trembling and quivering with excitement, said Scott Giarman, executive director of the Kaua‘i United Way.
Giarman said Personal Financial Consultants hosted a fundraiser at the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa to help KUW attain its 2010 Annual Campaign goal of $620,000.
“Through the efforts of PFC, the Kaua‘i United Way jumped from our 81 percent of goal to where we are,” Giarman said. “They spent thousands of dollars to help Kaua‘i United Way raise more than $13,000.”
Musicians from the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center were presented to the public at the Hyatt in an afternoon concert with music spanning baroque to 19th Century traditional to more cutting-edge, playful, contemporary classical music, a release from KUW states.
Sarah Tochiki, music director for the Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School, and about 20 of her music students were treated to the afternoon courtesy of the KUW Board members, Giarman said.
“I didn’t even know we had that many flute players,” Giarman said. “But they were enraptured when world-class flautist Tara Helen O’Conner showed them some tricks and techniques they could perform on their instruments.”
Joining O’Conner were violinists Daniel Phillips and Kristin Lee.
“It was truly a unique event for Kaua‘i to have performers of this caliber on the island, and the fact that they spent time with young Kaua‘i music students was very touching,” Giarman said in an e-mail.
In addition to the afternoon concert, patrons were eligible for prize packages which included tours to see the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the San Francisco Symphony, and a New York Broadway show.
Giarman said these were made possible through the generosity of Doug Sears, general manager of the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i, and PFC.
“One of our goals in sponsoring this event is to attract new clients,” said Loren Kayfetz, president and founder of PFC, in the KUW release. “But that is not our primary motivation. We believe in giving back to the community and this concert is one way we are doing this. Another is our pledge to donate 50 percent of our new Hawai‘i client fees to the Kaua‘i United Way.”
Giarman said the Kaua‘i United Way is extending its 2010 Campaign through the end of March.
“Proceeds from this event helps our Campaign.” Giarman said. “It’s a huge help because every dollar counts. Kaua‘i United Way supports dozens of social service programs, all here on Kaua‘i, that save lives every day and directly benefit tens of thousands of Kaua‘i people every year.”
Go to www.kauaiunitedway.org, or call 245-2043 for more information.
