Editorial
A season for giving: our Christmas Fund
Hawai'i has been through tough times before. Indeed, the 1990s were difficult for many in the Islands, as our economy languished after the Gulf War and the economic downturn in Japan. New welfare rules also have meant many more are losing lifelines.
But now the Sept. 11 attacks have deepened the nightmare. Some 30,000 people have lost their jobs here because of the economic fallout from those attacks. That has made daily life tougher for many who were already barely making it. Now, it has become precarious for many who have never experienced want before.
Social service agencies have been overwhelmed with requests. And as much as they are struggling with present demands, they know it will only get worse, that there are many more who will turn to them for help in the next few months.
Americans were generous to the victims in New York and Washington. That generosity has not abated as people have continued to respond to local requests by the Hawaii Foodbank and others.
For many of us, our Christmas wish lists are made up of trendy clothes, jewelry, or the latest toy or gadget.
Many others ask only for a decent bed to sleep on, a table and chairs so they can share a family meal, a toy for a child who has nothing to play with, or basic clothes. These are "extras" for them because their income only stretches as far as rent and food, and often it doesn't even go that far.
Today, The Advertiser begins its annual Christmas Fund drive in conjunction with Helping Hands Hawai'i to raise money and collect material items for those who otherwise face a bleak holiday.
Year after year, Islanders have responded generously to those in need. Last year, Advertiser readers donated more than $105,000 to the Christmas Fund. And many gave material gifts to those profiled in the daily Christmas Fund stories. People who asked for little were overwhelmed by the unexpected gift of clothes they needed to get a job, a toy for a child with no playthings, beds for children who had to sleep on the floor, cooking utensils so parents could feed their children and money to buy basics for daily life and something to cheer their holidays.
Clara Olds, special events manager for Helping Hands, notes that even a trip to a fast-food restaurant is beyond the means of many: "There are those of us who can stop once a week to feed our family. Giving up that $5 once a week to those in need would make a big difference for them."
Such a simple lesson. In this time of good will, good cheer and gift-giving, please remember those who ask for much less than most of us.
You can mail your contributions to The Advertiser Christmas Fund, c/o Helping Hands Hawaii, P.O. Box 19155, Honolulu, HI 96817. Donations can also be dropped off at any First Hawaiian Bank branch.
Anyone wishing to donate goods instead of money can do so at the Community Clearinghouse at 2100 N. Nimitz Hwy. near Pu'uhale Street in Kalihi Kai. For information call 536-7234.
We hope you find, as have so many, that the path to happiness is to give until it feels good.
