Donors will find no shortage of need
• Community Thanksgiving projects
By Mary Kaye Ritz
Advertiser Religion & Ethics Writer
There's something about feeling grateful that makes us want to reach out to others. Perhaps that's why the Salvation Army and River of Life Thanksgiving feasts already have filled their quota of turkey-slingers for Thursday.
What's a giver to do when the urge strikes to reach out and touch someone, and the traditional avenues are packed? Get creative, say organizers of community service groups, who note that you can find ways to touch people on and off the serving line.
Windward Senior Day Care still could use people to talk story with a senior or take someone for a walk, said Kelika Ishol, adding that the center also is looking for donors to help pay for a special Thanksgiving lunch.
"We can always use the extra help," she said.
Daniel De Castro, director of public relations for the Salvation Army, said more than 800 volunteer slots may be filled for their annual Thanksgiving meal, but they still could use bell ringers and people who want to help in adult day care or child care at their residential treatment center for women recovering from drug or alcohol addiction.
"For people who love working with kids, it's a great opportunity," De Castro said, adding that some volunteers might be required to complete a screening process, so it's best to call early.
Natasha Clarin at the Ko Olina Community Association has taken a handful of calls from people wanting to do some giving for Thanksgiving. While their group's meal volunteer slots are filled, she forwards callers to area churches that will be serving the meals.
"They may have programs going on, too, if you have any talent," she reminds potential entertainers. Or call a neighborhood church to see if they have any volunteer needs. "Elderly homes are starving for visitors," Clarin said. "They're so appreciative. They could use visitors all the time.
And if you feel like opening your pocketbook, "I'm not going to turn away money," Clarin said with a laugh.
People can organize their own neighborhood food drives for the Food Bank, or shop ahead for Thanksgiving, as Elizabeth Stevenson, director of development and communications for Institute for Human Services, suggests. "If you buy the two-for-one canned corn, put an extra in a bag and bring it on down," she said.
IHS hopes to put together boxes of food for the "chronically homeless."
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Community Thanksgiving projects
- Ko Olina Community Association is expected to serve 4,000 homeless, low-income and single-parent families from the Leeward Coast at its fifth annual Thanksgiving dinner. Chefs from the Ihilani Resort and Kapolei High, and students from Waipahu and Nanakuli, will prepare meals to be delivered to more than 13 area churches from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. today. Donations: Natasha Clarin, Ko Olina Community Association, 671-2512.
- Salvation Army Thanksgiving dinner, 9:30 a.m. entertainment, noon meal, Thursday, Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall. Free tickets available in advance at all Salvation Army Community Corps locations on O'ahu or at the door. Information: 845-2544, 521-6551, 487-1636, 235-1408. Still needed: money to buy food.
- River of Life Mission Thanksgiving dinner, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, River of Life, 101 N. Pauahi St. 524-7656. Still needed: canned and nonperishable food, turkeys, toiletries, socks and underwear, cleaning items, trash bags; volunteers to serve meals other days.
- Institute for Human Services Thanksgiving dinner, 3 to 5 p.m., Thursday, IHS Men's Shelter, 350 Sumner St. Catered by Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel employees. Information: Elizabeth Stevenson, 845-7052, Ext. 208. Still needed: money, food, toiletries, volunteers to serve meals on other days.
- To volunteer for Windward Day Care activities, contact Kelika Ishol, 261-4947.
