By Lee Cataluna
Advertiser Columnist

This time of year, you hear a lot about Ready to Learn, a community service project that gets school supplies to thousands of homeless and needy children.

During the Christmas season, there are many stories about the Community Clearinghouse, which gives necessities such as beds and clothing to families in need.

And lately, Hawai'i 3-R's, a program to "repair, remodel and restore our schools" has gained a lot of attention.

But the agency that administers these and a host of other social service programs doesn't have much name recognition.

"Most people are more familiar with our programs than the overall agency," says Helping Hands Hawai'i executive director Brian Schatz. "That's our challenge."

Schatz doesn't labor under obscurity. The state representative from Makiki served as majority whip in the past legislative session and chairs the committee on Economic Development and Business Concerns. After being with Helping Hands for a year, Schatz says the difference between his full-time job at the agency and his part-time job as a lawmaker is that "this is much more straightforward."

"At the Legislature," Schatz says, "good people can disagree on the best way to do something, but here, no one can disagree that people need beds."

Helping Hands Hawai'i has been around for more than 25 years. It started as a volunteer referral service and continues to manage the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program and the Voluntary Action Center, where good intentions are matched with meaningful opportunities to make a difference. Though there are now diverse programs under the same roof, including services for severely mentally ill adults, the focus on helping people lend a hand is still in the forefront.

"My philosophy in taking care of volunteers and donors is that the feeling of giving is important and they just should never be turned away," Schatz says. "I go out of my way to make sure donor resources are used. People want to know their money or their items are going to a good cause."

Helping Hands emphasizes a "hand up," not a hand out. "Helping people help themselves," is how Schatz puts it.

That mission came sharply into focus after 9-11, when Helping Hands managed a donated fund to help displaced workers from the hotel industry. People who had never had to ask for help before suddenly found themselves the victims of circumstance. Instead of household items and baby clothes, they came to Helping Hands for assistance in making mortgage payments, car payments, student loans.

Still, there are many families who need household items and baby clothes, and there's always a need for beds. "Beds are expensive," Schatz says. "And it's a matter of dignity. There are people sleeping on the floor in government housing, single mothers having to share beds with their older children."

To reach Helping Hands Hawai'i, call 536-7234.

Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 535-8172 or lcataluna@honoluluadvertiser.com.