LIHUE — The annual partnership between The Garden Island Newspaper and The Zonta Club of Kauai Foundation is kicking off and celebrating its 35th year.
The organizations have teamed up to raise funds for people in the community in need of support through various non-profit agencies.
In 2024, it received $60,000 in donations. With the help of eight non-profit agencies providing stories of families and individuals that could use help during the holiday season, 162 children and 325 adults had a brighter Christmas and all through the generosity of many donors.
Since 2019, Cyndi Ayonon has chaired the committee as way to give back to the community and those less fortunate. She said, “As the economy has spiraled, we know there are those who have difficulty providing the bare necessities, so this will help as a holiday surprise for many, and may provide them with a special meal.”
Through Christmas Eve, The Garden Island will share daily, front-page stories about families (we don’t use their real names) facing challenges and who would appreciate a little help.
The Christmas Fund is an avenue for everyone to provide that assistance. Donations are used by Zonta Club members to purchase gift certificates that are in turn distributed through the social service agencies.
Some of the social service agencies are Agency on Elderly Affairs, Women In Need, Developmental Disabilities, Kauai Economic Opportunity, Catholic Charities, YWCA, Child and Family Services and Pa’a Lima. All agencies must be designated a 501(3)c and submit applications through case and/or social workers and meet certain criteria.
Each donation is accounted for and recorded. There are no administrative costs involved and the money goes directly for the purchase of gift certificates for those who need them for Christmas presents and essentials like groceries.
If you or your business would like to hold a fundraising event for the Christmas Fund, let us know and we’ll spread the word. Anyone making a donation of $200 or more can have their picture published in TGI by contacting Dennis Fujimoto.
Donations may be made by way of their website at: www.Zonta-Kauai.org or checks can be made out to: The Zonta Club of Kauai Foundation, P.O. Box 3032, Lihue, HI 96766.
As the Zonta Club of Kauai continues to empower women leaders through service and advocacy we extend our warmest mahalo to those who have contributed to this cause in the past, said Ayonon.
The Zonta Club of Kauai was started April 1, 1952, and in the 1980s added the Zonta Club of Kauai Foundation, a nonprofit for fundraising. All Zonta Clubs are a member of Zonta International, active in 63 countries. Zonta International has been in existence for over 105 years.
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