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.
The following are some stories we would like to share with our readers.
• Billy Echo is a 21-year-old male who lives with his extended family in Kapaa. Billy and his family moved from the Marshall Islands to Kauai when he was 11. He is intellectually disabled, requires constant supervision due to his daily seizures, and uses a wheelchair to help with his mobility. He enjoys watching TV and being with family. The request is for financial assistance in supporting Billy and his family with daily living expenses.
• Malu Soon is a 30-year- old male who is intellectually disabled with autism and nutrition concerns. Malu is very close to his family. He has a Personal Assistance worker who helps him on his goals to increase his independence. The request is for any assistance with his living expenses as he lives independently with a live in caregiver. Thank you for any assistance that you are able to support for Malu and his family.
• Betty is a woman who has previously experienced homelessness and has faced significant challenges related to addiction and finding stable housing. Through determination and hard work, Betty has managed to maintain her sobriety and, earlier this year, secured a place to live. Currently, Betty is employed full-time and is gradually rebuilding her life. As she continues on her journey of recovery and stability, Betty is interested in resuming baking, an activity she enjoys. To support this interest, she is requesting baking pans and cookware. Betty would greatly appreciate any items that could assist her in the kitchen, as these tools would help her reconnect with her passion for baking and contribute to her overall well-being.
• Alex is an elderly man who has spent nearly five years living on the streets. The challenges of surviving on a fixed income have made it extremely difficult for him to afford rent and maintain a stable living environment. Recently, Alex has managed to secure housing that fits within his limited budget. Although this is a significant improvement in his living situation, it leaves him with very little money remaining after paying rent. As a result, he struggles to afford essential personal items. This year, Alex would greatly appreciate receiving gift cards. With this, he would be able to purchase the personal items he needs, helping him live more comfortably in his new home.
• Christopher and Catelyn and their son, Chad, are a young family working hard to establish themselves as they begin their journey into adulthood together. Recently, they were fortunate to secure permanent housing, which marks an important milestone for their family. As they settle into their new home, Christopher and Catelyn are facing the financial pressures that often come with starting out. Their budget is limited, making it challenging to purchase necessary household items. To help create a comfortable and welcoming space for their family, they would greatly appreciate kitchen items, blankets and cleaning supplies. Additionally, a few toy cars for Chad would bring him joy and help make their house feel more like home.
• Daniel, David, and Divina are a family of three adults who work hard to support themselves. Despite being employed, they continue to face significant challenges in securing stable housing. Over the past year, they have endured considerable hardship due to mounting medical bills and other unforeseen issues, which have added to their financial strain. To help ease their burden, they are requesting support in the form of gift cards for essential needs such as food, gas and laundry supplies. Any assistance in these areas would be greatly appreciated and would make a meaningful difference as they work toward greater stability and well-being.
• Eddie is a single man who has experienced significant hardship this year. Earlier in the year, he lost his father, who was also his main provider. The loss of his father led to Eddie facing homelessness. Despite these challenges, Eddie was able to secure housing quickly with the support of his community and has since connected to essential services. As Eddie works to rebuild his life and maintain stability, he is in need of household items. Support in the form of kitchen supplies, bedding and cleaning supplies would be especially helpful for him at this time.
• Gerald is a quiet gentleman who works diligently and prefers to keep to himself. Despite his best efforts to save, he is only able to work a limited number of hours, which allows him to cover his rent but leaves little for other necessities. This season, Gerald would benefit greatly from support in the form of gift cards for gas, food and household supplies. Such assistance would help ease his financial burden and provide much-needed stability as he continues to work toward greater self-sufficiency.
• Haven is a single woman who has demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of adversity. She has worked diligently to overcome challenging periods in her life and, through her perseverance, has accomplished a significant milestone by securing housing. Despite her achievements, Haven continues to work hard to cover her rent and manages her finances with great care, living on very limited resources. As she continues to rebuild and strive for stability, Haven would greatly appreciate support this season. Specifically, assistance in the form of colorful beddings and curtains would help brighten her living space. Additionally, gift cards for food and gas would be invaluable, providing her with essential resources as she works toward greater self-sufficiency.
• Ikaika is a single man who works diligently to maintain a positive direction in his life. Despite facing emotional challenges, he demonstrates remarkable resilience by starting each day with optimism and a determination to overcome obstacles. However, these ongoing struggles have made it difficult for him to maintain steady employment. This year, Ikaika is seeking support in the form of gift cards for food. Such assistance would help him meet his essential needs as he continues to work toward stability and self-sufficiency.
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-Kauai.org, or checks can be made payable to The Zonta Club of Kauai Foundation, P.O. Box 3032, Lihue, HI 96766.
Source: The Garden Island
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