The Garden Island and Zonta Club of Kaua’i are again teaming up with the community to try to make the holidays a little happier for those in need. Every year, community members are asked to make donations to the Zonta/Garden
The Garden Island and Zonta Club of Kaua’i are again teaming up with the community to try to make the holidays a little happier for those in need.
Every year, community members are asked to make donations to the Zonta/Garden Island Christmas Fund.
With the help of community agencies, Zonta Club members identify families who will not have a merry Christmas without help. Every day from now until Christmas, The Garden Island will publish stories about people who could use some assistance. The names have been changed to protect their privacy, but the stories are all actual case histories of people living on Kaua’i.
For more than 20 years, the community has come through with Kaua’i aloha, although some years, when times are tough for everyone, it hasn’t been easy. If donors could see the smiles on the faces of those they have helped – young and old – they would feel their contributions are well-spent.
Checks and money orders may be sent to Zonta/Garden Island Christmas Fund, P.O. Box 1120, Kapa’a HI 96746. Christmas-Fund organizers hope neighbors continue their traditional generosity, which has helped countless families have a merry Christmas for more than 20 years.
For more information, please call Dimples, 822-9882.
Kaimana wants ‘special’ Christmas for his son
Two years ago, Kaimana was on “Cloud 9.” Just married and with a baby on the way, he felt that he had come full circle in his life. As a child he had been institutionalized when he was labeled “hyperactive,” and his parents had, in his words, “given up on me.”
After he graduated from high school, he joined the Navy, but was given an honorable discharge when he started experiencing “problems.” In 1992, he moved to Kaua’i to help with the recovery efforts after Hurricane ‘Iniki hit the island.
He worked as a carpenter, but began experiencing problems once again. In 1997, he was found unresponsive on the beach and was transported to the hospital where he was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and alcoholism.
Once diagnosed, Kaimana did all he could to learn about his disease, and worked with his psychiatrist and social workers to control his symptoms and gain sobriety.
In 2001, Kaimana married. The first year of his marriage was everything he dreamed of. He had a beautiful wife and a son he adored. However, once their son made one year, changes began to take place. His wife, once loving and caring, became verbally and physically abusive toward him, and neglectful of their son.
Kaimana had always been the one who had taken care of all his son’s needs, taking him to doctor’s appointments, enrolling him in the Easter Seals program, and attending parenting classes on his own.
Everything came to a head when Kaimana came home one day after work to find his son sitting unattended in a room smeared with feces. Kaimana sought help from state child protection and mental health officials. Soon after, his wife falsely accused him of molesting their son, and the boy was placed in foster care.
Kaimana has since separated from his wife. It would have been easy for him to turn to the bottle and escape, however, he has remained clean and sober and is following all the recommendations from state officials to try to regain custody of his son.
Upon leaving his wife, he was homeless, but is currently living in a group home while he looks for more stable housing and fights for custody. Kaimana has lost his job because of the demands of his schedule (appointments with attorneys, state case workers, mental health officials, attending parenting classes, AA meetings and visitations with his son), and is currently in a financial bind.
When asked what keeps him struggling so hard to regain his son, Kaimana always says, “I’m not going to give up on him like my parents gave up on me.” It would be wonderful if you could make it possible for Kaimana to give his son a “special” Christmas this year.
New clothes would brighten Harry’s holiday
Harry is on a very limited budget. He helps his brother pay rent, and with the remaining money left he pays for his medication. Receiving a new shirt and pants for the holidays would really make him happy.
Jack wants help with mounting medical bills
Jack is an invalid who recently lost his wife. She was his primary caregiver, and now he needs to pay for private assistance. They had medical debts to pay, which is causing him financial hardship while also coping with the loss of his wife.
Earrings would make Mary smile
Mary suffered a stroke many years ago, and lives in a care home. Her family members all live on other islands, and have very little contact with her. Mary loves to wear jewelry, so a pair of earrings would make her so happy.
Angel lost her husband
Angel was devastated when her husband of just a few months died suddenly and unexpectedly. His death left her unprepared for life, as she is an older woman new to Kaua’i. She lives on a very-limited income, and oftentimes is unable to afford food. Any help would be appreciated.
