Spirit of giving made holiday brighter for many
By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer
There is joy today for hundreds of families in need thanks to the generosity of Hawai'i residents who donated beds, couches, clothing and cash through The Advertiser Christmas Fund.
Capsun Poe, program manager of Helping Hands Hawai'i's Community Clearinghouse, began distributing 40 beds, 45 couches and 200 chairs on Monday.
Helping Hands also received more than 400 10-gallon bags of clothing, said Poe.
In addition, donors had contributed more than $66,000 to the Christmas Fund by today.
Rosie Watts, a registered nurse at Aloha Laser Vision, said six staff members decided to make a donation this year rather than exchange gifts.
Dr. Alan Faulkner and his wife, Gloria, matched the staff's donation.
It's a good feeling to help others, said Watts. "For those of us who work and have a steady paycheck, it was a chance to give something back," she said.
That spirit of giving back deeply touched those who benefited.
"I feel grateful and thankful to them for giving to my kids," said "V.F.," who wanted clothing for her three sons, ages 9 to 13. "My hope is my kids get a good education and a good life."
"On behalf of myself and my family, we would like to thank you for your generous contributions in helping us to bring in the new year," said "L.N.," who needed a bunk bed for her two young children. She, her husband and the children currently sleep on a king-size bed.
"My Christmas thoughts are with the people I know (in the military) who will be leaving soon for Iraq and Afghanistan," said "M.C.," a single mother of four children, ages 13 to 18, who is attending college full time and serving in the Hawai'i National Guard. "I'm thankful my kids and I are together for Christmas, and I'm hoping for a good job offer when I finish school."
"My son is actually doing things the doctors said he would never do, so I have a lot to be thankful for," said "C.Y.," who was seeking clothing for the 2-year-old boy. "It's a blessing and I hope to see him crawl with his head up."
The giving spirit was felt throughout the Islands.
"It always amazes me that when there's need, people always seem to dig deep and help out," said Wai'anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center support services program supervisor Teresa Gonsalves. "That's the caring spirit that gives us all a sense of hope."
Thanks to caring donors, Christmas turned out well for 200 children of clients of Gonsalves' program, which was hurting for donations at the beginning of the month. With the help of staff donations, Gonsalves said the program met its gift list for the children.
Donations to The Advertiser's Christmas Fund are still being accepted.
Our anonymous Santa once again has generously offered to match the first $25 of each donation to the Christmas Fund.
Checks made payable to "The Advertiser Christmas Fund" should be mailed to Helping Hands Hawai'i, P.O. Box 17780, Honolulu, HI 96817.
Monetary donations may 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 Highway, near Pu'uhale Road. For details, call 440-3804.
