Boeing Co. workers boost holidays for 13 families, providing dinner and gifts
WAILUKU - In a program coordinated by Imua Family Services, the employees of the Boeing Co. on Maui have provided holiday dinners and Christmas gifts for 13 Maui families, including 41 children, Imua Director of Advancement Deborah Peterson said.
The dinners and gifts - which include both a Thanksgiving dinner and a Christmas dinner for each family - are provided through the Boeing employees' "Spirit of the Holidays: Adopt a Family" program.
"Each year, the rewards of philanthropy not only touch the recipient families, but give such profound joy to the employees of the Boeing Company through their gifts," said Claudia Canon, a coordinator for the employees group.
Peterson cited one recipient family, which was able to bring together a group of siblings living in several foster families "given the gift of time with each other . . . for a real Thanksgiving dinner."
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Radio group appeal provides $10,000 in donations for those less fortunate
KAHULUI - Donations from listeners provided more
than $10,000 in toys, gifts and food donations for Christmas to the Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Center, A Keiki's Dream and the Maui Food Bank, Pacific Radio Group said.
Program Director Alaka'i Paleka said appeals broadcast over KPOA 93.5-FM also provided donations for a "kupuna wish list" involving clients of Kaunoa Meals on Wheels, Ke Ola Pono No Na Kupuna, Alu Like Molokai, Maui Adult Day Care Center, Hale Hulu Mamo, Na Hoaloha, Ma Ka Hana Ka Ike and the Hana Health Center.
The community response to the appeals included workers at businesses who used funds intended for company gifts and parties to provide for the less fortunate, she said.
"As soon as the KPOA ohana heard that there was a need in the community, their generosity went over and above what could have been expected," she said.
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Hawaii Tourism Authority announces awards for community-based projects
HONOLULU - Five Maui community-based projects are among 25 statewide selected for funding from the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
Projects include a grant to the Kipahulu 'Ohana to install animal control fences to protect native forests in East Maui, and a grant to Ke Aupuni Lokahi to develop a plan to restore native forests and rare species on Molokai and historic trails in Kalaupapa.
Other Maui County recipients of HTA grants include the Hawai'i Nature Center in Iao Valley, the National Tropical Botanical Garden in Hana, and the Pacific Whale Foundation.
HTA, the state's tourism agency, with guidance from its Natural Resources Advisory Group, announced the 2009 awards given through its Natural Resources Program.
The latter program began in 2002 in response to a legislative mandate that the Hawaii Tourism Authority provide at least $1 million annually to support efforts to manage, improve and project Hawaii's natural environment and areas frequented by visitors.
The Hawaii Tourism Authority has allocated $2 million to its 2009 Natural Resources Program.
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Maui Food Bank receives donation in response to growing need in community
WAILUKU - The Hawaii Community Foundation has presented $33,200 to the Maui Food Bank, a donation made possible through grants from five Hawaii charitable trusts in the foundation's "donor advised funds" program.
The donation is in response to the growing need of local food banks, according to foundation announcement.
Kelvin Taketa, president and chief executive officer of the Hawaii Community Foundation, said the donor-advised fund was established in 1988 by Sheridan Ing and his wife, Julia. Through the fund, donors have contributed $161,360 being distributed to food pantries across the state.
The grant to the Maui Food Bank came from the Kosasa Family Fund, Stupski Family Fund, Aina-Nalu Charitable Fund, Makani O Maui and the Kent and Polli Smith Fund.
Hawaii Community Foundation is a statewide, charitable services institution endowed with contributions from trusts and family funds, serving as a steward of more than 450 donor funds.
