Give back
By Kristen Consillio
Special to The Advertiser
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Money is tight this holiday season. We get it. The bonus you were hoping for to buy the family a Blu-ray player or high-def camcorder isn’t coming, and job security now tops everyone’s wish list.
But while the presents may be sparse under the Christmas tree, this can still be a holiday to remember.
We’ve come up with a list of events and volunteer opportunities to get you into the Christmas spirit of giving.
Mele Kalikimaka!
FAMILY
Easter Seals Hawaii
10th annual Gingerbread Family Festival
Benefits: Anyone in Hawai‘i with developmental disabilities and their families
When: 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Sunday (two shifts)
Where: Blaisdell Exhibition Hall
Kid-friendly:: Must be 16 or older to volunteer
Know this: Hundreds of families build gingerbread houses at the annual event. You can volunteer or just come to participate.
Contact: 536-1015, www.hawaii.easterseals.com
USO Hawaii
Wounded Warrior Holiday Drive and Wounded Warrior Gift Bag Give-Away
Benefits: Active duty military and family members
When/Where: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday, in front of Navy Exchange; 1:30-3:30 p.m. Dec. 20, Oahu Veteran's Center, Foster Village (across Radford High School)
Kid-friendly:: Yes, with adult supervision
Contact: Elaine Ota, Hickam USO Operations Manager, 448-9966 or uso[0x07]hawaii@uso.org or Nicole Darity, programs manager, 836-3351, ndarity@uso.org.
L[0xf6]kahi Giving [0x07]Project
Barnes & Noble book fair, Honolulu Gift Fair
Benefits: Struggling families
Bookfair: Ala Moana store, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. tomorrow (keiki activities, accepting donations, storytelling, assisting customers)
Gift Fair: Blaisdell Exhibition Hall, 5-9 p.m. Dec, 18; 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 1-5 p.m., 5-9 p.m. Dec 20; 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 1-5 p.m. Dec. 21
Kid-friendly:: Volunteers 14 and younger must be accompanied by adult
Contact: Download volunteer application at lokahigivingproject.org; 685-7722. Send inquiries and/or completed volunteer applications to lokahivol@yahoo.com
The Salvation Army
Bell ringing at red kettles
Benefits: Families
When: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday
Where: Various locations, all islands
Kid-friendly:: Volunteers 16 and younger must be accompanied by an adult
Contact: Honolulu, 521-6551; Leeward, 487-1636; Windward, 235-1408
Kanu Hawai'i and the Kokua Hawai'i Foundation
Make Christmas cards with kids on furlough Friday at Leeward YMCA
Benefits: Everyone
When: 9-11 a.m. today
Where: Leeward YMCA, 94-440 Mokuola St., Waipahu, 671-6495
Kid-friendly:: Yes. Working with kids grades K-6
Contact: www.Kanuhawaii.org.
Armed Services YMCA Honolulu Community Outreach
Holiday Food & Toy Drive
Benefits: Active-duty military families
When: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Where: Any of the four ASYMCA branches in Pearl Harbor, Kaneohe, Wheeler and AMR
Kid-friendly:: With adult supervision
Contact: 473-3398, asymcakbay@aol.com
U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Hawaii
Toy donations drive
Benefits:Disadvantaged children who would not otherwise receive presents
When: 8:30-6 p.m, weekdays through Dec. 22
Kid-friendly:: Children 14 and older can volunteer in the warehouse if accompanied by an adult
Contact:A list of drop-off sites can be found at www.toysfortots.org and www.facebook.com/pages/Toys-for-TotsHawaii/92191513370
Hawaii Foodbank
25 volunteers needed for the daily inspection and sorting donations at the Hawaii Foodbank warehouse
Benefits: People in need of emergency food statewide, including kids, seniors, homeless, low-income families, disabled and newly unemployed
When: 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m., weekdays
Kid-friendly:: Must be 18 or older to volunteer
Know this: Requirements include the ability to lift 20 pounds or more and standfor four hours or more; sweeping, mopping and wiping down salvage area
Contact: Hawaii Foodbank, 2611 Kilihau St., Mapunapuna; Annie Cadirao, 836-3600, ext. 239 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Helping Hands Hawaii
Adopt a Family
Benefits: Low-income families with children by bringing in toys, clothing, furniture, housewares, food, etc.
When: 8 a.m.-noon Saturday and Dec. 19
Kid-friendly:: 10 and older, minors must be accompanied by an adult. Help needed receiving the donations
Contact:Community clearinghouse, 2100 N. Nimitz Highway, Honolulu, HI, 96819; 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., weekdays; 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays; 440-3832 or volcoordinator@helpinghandshawaii.org
Prevent Child Abuse Hawaii
23rd Annual "Breakfast with Santa" fundraiser
Benefits: Children from abuse shelters.
When: 8:30-10:30 a.m.; noon-2 p.m., Saturday
Where: Japanese Cultural Center Manoa Grand Ballroom, 2454 South Beretania St.
Kid-friendly:: Yes
Know this: Volunteers aren't needed, but bring your keiki for support and enjoy the meal and festivities. A donation of $20 per person includes a served meal, photo with Santa, clowns, face-painting, games and crafts, costumed characters, magicians and a Christmas gift. Characters joining Santa will include Winnie-the-Pooh, Mickey Mouse and Elmo. Children 2 and younger are free and can participate in the activities, but won't have a seat or meal unless a ticket is purchased.
Contact: 951-0200, www.preventchildabuse.hawaii.org
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Hawaii
Believe, Macy's holiday campaign
Benefits: Children with life-threatening medical conditions
When:Ongoing to Christmas Eve
Where:Any Macy's store
Kid-friendly:: Open to all ages.
How to get involved:Write a letter to Santa and drop it in the Santa mailbox at any Macy's store. For each letter received, Macy's will donate $1 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, up to $1 million
HELP The HOMELESS
Institute for Human Services (IHS)
Holiday card writing, meal preparation and serving, gift wrapping, gift drive organizing, keiki activities
Benefits: Homeless and people at risk for becoming homeless, including families
When: Holiday card writing, Mondays through Dec. 21 (8 a.m.-noon), Wednesdays (2-5 p.m.), Tuesdays and Thursdays (9:30 a.m.-noon and 2:30-5 p.m.). Activities for kids, 2-5 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. weekends. Gift wrapping is 9 a.m.-noon Dec. 18. Meal program every day at 7 a.m., noon and 5:30 p.m.
Kid-friendly:: For some activities, but minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Contact: 546 Ka‘a‘ahi St. and 350 Sumner St.; 447-2842 or volunteer@ihs-hawaii.org
H-5 (Hawaii Helping the Hungry Have Hope)
New Year's Eve dinner
Benefits: Homeless living at Next Step shelter
When: 6 p.m. on Dec 31.
Where: Next Step Project - Pier 1 in Kaka'ako
Kid-friendly:: Keiki must be accompanied by adult
Contact: Kapua Tani at 723-4810 or Max Gray at 782-9628
River of Life Mission
Help at Christmas store for Mission guests
Helping: Homeless and low-income families and individuals
When: Monday, Dec. 21; Tuesday, Dec. 22; Wednesday, Dec. 23 (9-11:30 a.m.)
Kid-friendly:: Must be 16 or older to volunteer
Know this: Organization to provide gifts for keiki Monday; gifts for women Tuesday; and gifts for men Wednesday.
Contact: 524-7656 (weekdays betweeen 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.) Ask for Nanci or Merrie-Susan.
Always in Need
American Red Cross, Hawaii Chapter
Volunteer to help victims of disasters such as hurricanes, flooding and earthquakes
Benefits:Anyone affected by a disaster in Hawai'i
When:Volunteers on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to respond to disasters in Hawai‘i (Must provide three-month commitment)
Kid-friendly:: Minors must be accompanied by an adult and cannot apply to be disaster volunteers. Red Cross Clubs at 15 high schools, where teens can get involved in supporting the mission
Know this: Offices on the military stations where administrative volunteers or volunteer instructors are needed: Hickam Service Center, 449-0166; Kaneohe Service Center, 257-8848; Schofield Barracks Service Center, 655-4927; Tripler AMC Service Center, 433-6631
Contact: 734-2101
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Hawaii
Cook, clean and help families
Benefits: Families with seriously ill or injured children
When: Ongoing.
Kid-friendly:: In certain instances, when accompanied by an adult
Know this: Numerous volunteer opportunities to match interests and talents of volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House Family Room at KapiolaniMedicalCenterfor Women & Children
Contact: Call Michael Ahakuelo at 973-5683, ext. 223 or visit www.RonaldHouseHawaii.org
Hawaii Meals on Wheels Inc.
Deliver meals to seniors and the disabled
Benefits:Seniors and the disabled
When:Weekdays for lunch routes and two dinner routes
Where:Various kitchens across the island
Kid-friendly:: Keiki welcome when accompanied by adult.
Contact: 988-6747, hmow.org
Animals/Pets
Hawaiian Humane Society
Walk, pet and groom dogs; help find a lost pet; or help with adoptions and admissions
Benefits: Animals
When: Requies a minimum six-month commitment; mandatory training classes, depending on the volunteer assignment
Kid-friendly:: Volunteers must be 14 or older.Opportunities available for children ages 8 through 13, but must volunteer with parent or guardian
Where: 2700 Wai'alae Ave.
Contact: 356-2216, www.hawaiianhumane.org
DONATE SAFELY
If you would rather donate money, here are tips for charitable giving from the state attorney general’s office:
— Check out the charity before you donate. Charitable organizations are required to register with the state attorney general. A searchable public database is available at http://ag.ehawaii.gov/charity.
— Be aware that many fake charities use names that are similar to those of legitimate charitable organizations.
— When approached in person for a donation, ask for identification and written information about the charity, including a physical address and how your donation will be used. If you have questions, contact the charity to verify that it is soliciting contributions.
— Don't give or send cash. For security and tax record purposes, contribute by check or credit card. If you use a check, write the official name of the charity on your check.
— Never give out personal information such as credit card or bank account numbers over the phone. Doing so may open the door to identity theft.
— Be aware that charitable organizations may use professional fundraisers. Professional fundraisers are allowed to keep a portion of what they collect for charities. If you receive a telephone call asking for a donation on behalf of a charity, ask whether the caller is a professional fundraiser. If the answer is yes, ask how much of your donation the fundraiser or fundraising company will keep and how much will go to the charity.
— Confirm that your donation is tax deductible. The IRS publishes a cumulative list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions. An online version of this publication is available at http://irs.gov/app/pub-78.
— Don't be pressured into making a donation. Legitimate organizations will be happy to answer questions and provide the information you need to make an informed donation.
— Check out charity information services such as the American Institute of Philanthropy (www.charitywatch.org), Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance http://bbb.us/charity), and Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org).
Source: state attorney general’s office. For more information, visit www.hawaii.gov/agcharities.
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