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.
• Betsy was devoted to her husband, the man of her dreams. When she lost Stan she was devastated and went through a long period of depression. After years of withdrawal, she was finally able to start getting involved in social activities again and with the help of good friends and her church she began to see the light. She became independent and full of life again but then some hard times hit. A series of falls have left her with some fractures and daily pain threatening to send her back into a depressive state. Betsy could sure use some extra holiday cheer this year.
• Xavier’s and Lola’s lives are a beautiful love story. Xavier is a little older than Lola but he has always made sure she had all he could possibly give her and tried his best to spoil her even though finances were never plentiful. Lola has never been one to desire material things and has always been happy with wildflowers and sunsets if Xavier was right by her side. Age has begun to creep up on both and Xavier suffered a stroke, now requiring Lola to care give for him. Lola has now started having some heart issues and they feel the future is uncertain. They could both use some extra holiday cheer.
• A senior on the South Shore who uses a wheelchair is working very hard to remain safely at home. He struggles with depression and loneliness after family relationships changed. He does not drive and has difficulty preparing meals or maintaining his apartment and worries about losing his housing without support. A small gift this Christmas would bring joy and comfort, helping him feel remembered and cared for during the holidays.
• Aunty Leilani is an 81-year-old widowed kupuna living alone in her Kaumakani home. She has diabetes, high blood pressure and unsteady balance, requiring a walker. A steep driveway and drop at her doorway make it unsafe for her to leave home without assistance, which has limited her medical care and access to medications. She has no family on island and relies occasionally on neighbors for groceries and support. She enjoys reading her Bible and watching TV, but she experiences isolation and needs help maintaining her independence and safety at home. Holiday assistance will help meet her basic needs and bring joy to her season. Suggested gifts are religious items (devotional book, rosary, small décor), new house slippers (non-slip), diabetic Ensure, and diabetic-friendly non-perishable snacks.
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