Posted on: Thursday, December 12, 2002

Rotary help lets families shop free

Advertiser Staff

Two Honolulu families down on their luck will have a chance to go on a Christmas shopping spree on Saturday, thanks to a program sponsored by the Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset.

The families will have the chance to share $2,500 during the shopping outing at Sam's Club, said Marco Schlesser, community service director for the Rotary club.

This is the second year that the Rotary club, named for its late-afternoon meetings at the Waikiki Yacht Club, has reached out to help families in the holidays.

This year, club members contributed $1,000 to help two families; Sam's offered a matching $1,000 donation; and the University of Hawai'i Rotaract Club contributed another $500.

"We're really looking forward to making a difference for these two families," said Schlesser.

One family this year is a single mother and her five children who recently fled an abusive household situation; the other family includes three children and a mother and father who both lost their jobs after the Sept. 11 attacks and have been making do with odd jobs since then, Schlesser said.

Rotary members plan to go along on the shopping spree Saturday morning, where the families will be able to select from a variety of merchandise. The only purchases that will not be allowed are alcohol, tobacco or single items worth more than $250, Schlesser said.