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.
• Abby, Aaron, and family are new to secured housing. Coming from homelessness, living in their cars, camping at Lydgate beach, monies earned would pay bills and basic childcare needs. In 2025, they welcomed baby Aurora to the family. With limited income, rent, bills and childcare needs are paid. Items like toiletries, baby supplies, and toys for the kids would go a long way. Food and gas would be greatly appreciated.
• This family found housing, grateful to have a roof over their heads after being houseless for 5 years. A kind, young family with a good attitude. Cathy, a stay-at-home mom, who always has a smile on her face and Chase, who works long hours and does what he needs to get Chloe to and from school. Both Cathy and Chase work hard to raise their family and keep up with life’s challenges. Limited income covers rent, bills, gas, and childcare. Educational toys for Chloe, and toys for Chance would be nice. Food, wellness, gas, and although not able to be bought, rest would be the best gift Cathy and Chase could get.
• Family unit that includes a resilient parent, grandma, friend, and supportive partnership. Barbara and Bob both recovered from personal battles and grew with each journey taken together and apart during homelessness. Couch surfing was one of their ways of living. The family found secure housing; both Barbara and Bob worked full-time jobs and continued to raise Billy from a young age. The journeys have challenged them yet; both continue to build their resilience and relationships. Barbara believes in looking for the positive in every situation, doing what she can to keep things right. Food, gas, wellness, and entertainment would be an uplifting reward for this family.
• Heather and Hank are two young vibrant parents. Both came from homelessness. Both Heather and Hank work hard while preparing for their newborn in 2026. Baby furniture, stroller and baby toiletries would be exciting to get for baby. Wellness gifts for Heather and Hank to de-stress and recover from a day’s work are needed. Food and gas are greatly appreciated.
• Eve and Everly came to secured housing a few months ago. Life has challenged this young mother but with a sincere commitment to stay strong for child and herself, willfully works a full-time job and cares for the family unit daily. Food and toiletries for both would be greatly appreciated.
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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