Here’s your chance to prove that it’s better to give than receive. And who’s better to give to than a non-profit charity and/or foundation? They need love, too. And money—lot’s of money. But mostly love. And you can show your love by getting them what they really need. So please look over our list and donate what you can. We’re not asking you to shell out a ton of dough here and some of the stuff these guys want is pretty cheap. Except for the forklift—we’ve never actually shopped for one, but we’re pretty sure they cost a lot.
Maui AIDS Foundation
The Center for Disease Control reports that 25 percent of those in the U.S. who are HIV-positive don’t know it. Believing that prevention is their first defense against HIV, the Maui AIDS Foundation runs outreach groups that go to our beaches and bars to teach folks about how to reduce the risk of getting AIDS. MAF also provides free anonymous and confidential HIV testing. They’ve also formed the island’s only network for those living with the disease by providing free case management, transportation, health care, housing and food services. MAF is currently serving around 160 clients countywide.
THEY NEED:
• Contributions to the Emergency Fund. This is used to pay for miscellaneous health care, transportation and homecare expenses that otherwise would go unpaid by clients who have HIV/AIDS and are impoverished
• Heavy-duty commercial quality fax machine
• Good laserjet printer
• New carpeting for the offices
CONTACT: Keith Wolter, Executive Director, Maui AIDS Foundation, 1935 Main St. Ste. 101, Wailuku, HI 96793. Call 242-4900, ex 102 or email keith@mauiaids.org.
Maui Arts & Cultural Center
We go there to see a big name reggae show at the A&B Amphitheater, and to the Maui Film Festival at the Castle Theater on Wednesday nights. We’ve wandered through monthly exhibits with Hawaiian artists at the Schaefer Gallery, taken hula classes and sent our keiki to ballet workshops. We know Maui Arts & Cultural Center is a gathering place for our island community, providing inspiration, education, art and cultural diversity for all ages and interests. But this is only possible because of the community—annual donors, sponsors and volunteers are what keep the MACC such a viable center for enrichment and entertainment.
THEY NEED:
• A forklift
• A golf cart or two
• Stanchions
CONTACT: Art Vento, 242-2787, ext. 264 or email art@mauiarts.org. Also, Mike Foley, 242-2787, ext. 259 or email mikef@mauiarts.org.
Hui Malama Learning Center
Education and literacy are gifts and rights that can never be taken away. But what do we do if someone cannot get through our education system? Hui Malama Learning Center picks up where all other teaching methods have failed. Diane Ho started the center in 1973. Hui Malama is best known for their GED programs but they work with all members of the family offering adult learning, English as a Second Language, family programs like The Parent Project, and Help Your Kids Succeed, and Hawai`i Outdoor Education. They have extensive alternative educational programs for those people suffering from illiteracy, those incarcerated, and others. Their programs include home-school enrichment, tutoring for those suspended from public school as well as a full high school curriculum. It’s all based on small group instruction so each child gets maximum attention. Over the past 35 years, more than 18,000 students have participated in their programs and the demand for their services in our community continues to grow.
Hui Malama Learning Center is often a better choice for many people who “think outside the box” or don’t do well in traditional classroom settings. They also have options available for the non-traditional student offering educational classes from kindergarteners to senior citizens. As one student, Tyson Hoopi`i, put it, “To me, Hui Malama means lending a helping hand and coming together to help the generations to come. When I was in public school, they told me that I would never make it, so I dropped out. Hui Malama gave me another chance.”
THEY NEED:
• Money for tuition assistance
• Patio furniture
• DVD video cameras and digital still cameras for youth programs
• Flat screen/flat panel computer monitors
• Document shredder
• Young adult books, fiction and non-fiction
CONTACT: Lisa Louie, 244-5911, ext. 28, or lisa.louie@huimalama.org; Linda Scott at linda.scott@huimalama.org.
Maui Food Bank
It’s easy to complain about not being able to afford a new car, house renovations or an off-island trip. But those of us with food on our table have so much to be grateful for. Maui Food Bank provides this basic need to the 7,000 to 9,000 people every month who would otherwise go hungry without their assistance. During the holidays, a time when there is much focus on big holiday meals, the Maui Food Bank will feed over 15,000 hungry folks. Through a network of 70 participating nonprofit organizations, Maui Food Bank collects, warehouses and distributes mass quantities of donated food to those in need. They also seek to educate the community about hunger, as well as come up with possible solutions.
THEY NEED:
• Cash contributions
• Non-perishable food, especially canned meat, tuna and canned meals and soups with protein.
CONTACT: Marlene Rice or Deanne Kiesser at the Maui Food Bank 243-9500.
Lanai Youth Center
While Lanai is part of Maui County, that island’s youth are too far away to participate in Maui’s after-school and other youth programs. The Lanai Youth Center provides a fun safe place for the youth of Lanai to gather. It’s the only agency on the island to provide structured and supervised activities for kids aged seven to 18. It’s open six days a week, 12 hours a day. The LYC strives to bring enhanced programs to children by building positive attitudes and a healthy lifestyle. Their programs include homework assistance, prevention education, nutrition, cooking, sewing, arts, golf, archery, swimming and more. Though they’ve developed partnerships throughout the community to augment their programs, they need more community assistance.
THEY NEED:
• 12-passenger van (new or used) in good working order. They currently have a 1988 Chevy Suburban and a 1993 Ford Van. Both were donated to the Youth Center as used vehicles, but due to their age they are continuously spending money to maintain these cars. These funds could have been better spent on youth programs.
• Funds for another modular unit. They are currently located in a 20-foot by 40-foot modular unit but need more space.
CONTACT: Diane Irons, Executive Director, at (808) 565-7675. Fax (808) 565-9588 or email lanaiyouthcenter@wave.hicv.net.
Surfrider Foundation, Maui Chapter
Surfrider Foundation’s Maui Chapter often receives volunteer assistance and cash contributions. This generosity helps further the organization’s mission of protecting the waters around the island by expanding its coastal water quality testing program and native planting projects. This year the chapter is restoring plants at Ho`okipa Beach Park as well as continuing to work on saving the waves at Ma`alaea, helping put marine teaching programs in local schools as well as conduct beach clean-ups and other efforts to get people to understand how terrible it is to pollute the ocean.
THEY NEED:
• New lawn mower
• Wood chips
• Volunteers
• Cash contributions
CONTACT: Jan Roberson, Maui Chapter Chair, PO Box 790549, Paia, HI 96779. Call (808) 575-2716 or email surfrider@hawaii.rr.com.
Lahainaluna High School Foundation
Lahainaluna High School is the oldest school west of the Rockies. It celebrated their 175th anniversary this year. While the campus has obviously changed since its 19th century beginnings, don’t give all the credit to the state Department of Education. Lahainaluna also has a distinction for having a non-profit foundation dedicated to providing funds for improvement projects that promote excellence in the educational experience at Lahainaluna.
The Lahainaluna High School Foundation is comprised of interested community and alumni members. Since 2001 through donations, corporate sponsorships, fundraising and grants the foundation has distributed over $260,000 to Lahainaluna and its West Maui complex. Much of these funds go to scholarships to its students as well. Their current goals include earning $175,000 for the 175th anniversary year of the school, as well as raising funds for a permanent stadium facility for the school.
THEY NEED:
• Attendees at the Mercedes Championships Jan. 1-7 at the Kapalua Resort. Lahainaluna Foundation’s volunteer participation and marketing earns money through your support.
• Silent Auction items
• Volunteer at the Mercedes event with LHSF
• Cash contributions
CONTACT: Diane Delos Reyes, Executive Director, at lhsfoundation@hawaiiantel.net or call 808-661-5332.
Kahului Rotary Club
The object of Rotary is to “encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise.” Since 1910, the Rotary motto has been “Service Above Self.” The organization strives to achieve this through activities in four primary areas: Club Service, vocational service, community service and international service.
Kahului Rotary Club is committed to these activities raising funds to benefit the local community in their service projects. Funds go to scholarships for Maui students, Rotary Reader programs and elementary school books. They also raise funds to provide clean water through their world community service projects.
THEY NEED:
• Participants in the Michael H. Lyons II Memorial Golf Tournament on December 11, 2006 at the Maui Dunes course. Download applications at www.kahuluirotary.com or call Bob Yeager at 871-6373.
• Buy your Christmas tree through their fundraiser, on sale now! Call Gladys Baisa 281-4343 or Lisa Rodrigues 281-2904 to purchase a 6’ to 8’ Douglas Fir or Noble Firs, for pick up December 1-3, 2006
CONTACT: Lisa Rodrigues, Kahului Rotary Club president, at 281-2904.
Hui No`eau Visual Arts Center
Art enriches the lives within our community and nourishes our individuality. Best of all everyone can create and be involved in art. How you say? By starting with the amazing programs open to children and adults at the Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center. An artistic hub for Maui, the Hui recruits cutting edge visiting artists, holds various exhibitions throughout the year and provides a support network for artist exchange and learning. Their successful effort in 2005 to buy the historic Kaluanui Estate and maintain the mansion and scenic grounds shows their commitment to the community. Members of the Hui enjoy discounts on programs but all are welcome to join. Exhibitions and visiting artist lectures are free to the public.
THEY NEED:
• A tractor to care for and maintain Kaluanui Estate
• A golf cart to deliver supplies to studios
• Your support to keep the arts alive
CONTACT: Call Cathie Byrne, Interim Executive Director, at 808-572-6560 ext. 5.
The Maui Farm
They provide group home and independent living programs for youth aged 12-21, as well as a family-strengthening program for homeless families in transition to self-sufficiency. Located in Makawao, The Maui Farm offers its farm-based activities to provide youth and families with skills development and positive experiences with people, plants and animals.
THEY NEED:
• Outdoor toys and tools suitable for smaller children
• Wooden gym play centers with swing set
• Children’s gardening gloves
• Children’s gardening tools
CONTACT: Paula Ambre, Executive Director. Call 579-8271, fax 579-9055 or email mauifarm@hawaii.rr.com.
Paia Youth and Cultural Center
The Paia Youth Center offers a variety of unique experiences to youth as well as an opportunity to broaden their horizons in understanding themselves and the people around them. Youths run the adjoining Paia Skate Park, Paia Bay Cafe and the center’s low power radio station KOPO 89.5 FM. Now on air, youth are able to learn media literacy, which will help them run the only youth-operated and programmed radio station in the state of Hawai’i.
THEY NEED:
• Surround sound stereo system
• DVD/CD player
• Ping pong table
• Pool table supplies
• Basketball backboard and hoop
• Native beach dune plant starts
• Volunteer carpentry/repair labor
• 20-foot by 20-foot tent
• Volunteer radio/audio engineers
• Volunteer mentors who understand radio regulations, broadcast etiquette and technology
CONTACT: Susun White, Administrative Director, PO Box 790999, 28 Hana Hwy, Paia, HI 96779. Call 579-8354 or email admin@pyccmaui.org.
Maui OnStage
Maui Onstage enrichs the island’s community through support and creation of quality performing arts experiences. They also conduct stewardship of the historic Iao Theater in Wailuku. Performing arts makes Maui a more vibrant and interesting place to live. But while the arts add tangible public value, grant support is continuing to decline, making individual contributions and assistance that much more important.
THEY NEED:
• Volunteers
• Financial support
• Building supplies
• Pick-up truck
• Two new refrigerators and a new stove
• Use of a room off-site for rehearsals
• Gift certificates for restaurants or activities for volunteers
CONTACT: Maui Onstage, 68 N. Market St., Wailuku, HI 96793. Call 244-8680 or email edirector@mauionstage.com.
Maui Economic Opportunity Youthbank
Teaching youths life skills and experience isn’t easy. Many Maui parents have to work two or three jobs just to pay the rent—where does that leave time for the kids and life’s lessons? The Maui Economic Opportunity Youthbank program works hard with Maui youth in the classroom, out in the field and in counseling sessions to help youth form a real vision for their future. These are lessons kids might not learn elsewhere. They also offer courses in how to get along with each other, attitude, conflict resolution, nourishment and avoiding drugs and alcohol. They offer a variety of work that kids can tackle as a team, building their confidence and self-esteem (participating kids also get a stipend). The youth will gain survival skills and learn how to meet personal challenges through hikes and camping trips that are steeped in Hawaiian culture and history.
The combination of classroom type sessions, outdoor experiential activities and individual encouragement from Youthbank is the successful recipe for the development of their skills. By guided discussion and presentations from Maui business and agency resource persons, youth are invited to realize their potential and practice skills. Youth blossom and unfold through this combination of theoretical ideas, hands-on work and individual guidance.
THEY NEED:
• Cash for food-snacks and such because low-income teens arriving at MEO or the worksite are always hungry.
• Cash for stipends: participants for work training qualify for stipends but with our present budget our stipend offerings are limited. Our youth would be much more encouraged if they could receive stipends for more of these events.
CONTACT: Jim Crowe, Program Director, MEO Youthbank, 99 Mahalani St., Wailuku, HI 96793. Call 873-3103 or email jim.crowe@meoinc.org
Maui Boys and Girls Club-Central Unit
This organization provides a positive place for kids to go after school. All Boys and Girl clubs are founded on a set of core beliefs that guide all activities, programs and staff members. These core beliefs are: A club is a safe place to learn and grow; a club offers ongoing relationships with caring adult professionals; a club provides life-enhancing programs and character development exercises; a club offers hope and opportunity.
The Central Maui unit offers a youth development strategy that believes club programs and services will promote and enhance their youth. These programs instill a sense of competence, usefulness, and belonging into these youth.
THEY NEED:
• Educational Software for the Technology Room.
• Books for the reading library (ages 9 to 17)
• Dictionaries (10)
• Thesaurus (10)
• Calculators (10)
• DVD Players (2)
• Board games
• A van
• Volunteers
• Cash contributions
CONTACT: Connie Brown, Central Club Unit Director, (808) 242-4363, x224, or 808-344-5635, or connieb@bgcmaui.org.
Maui Boys and Girls Club-Haiku Unit
The staff at the Boys and Girls Club of Maui, Haiku Unit provides a safe and positive place for all youths. They have programs in Hawaiian Culture promoting respect for each youth’s own cultural identity. This program also teaches chanting, native species identification, paddling lessons with Kihei Canoe Club, and participation in native fish pond restoration. The Power Hour is our study hall program that offers free homework help. In Project Learn our kids participate in educational games and puzzles four days a week, and work on a project called “Today in History.” The Torch and Keystone Club kids get involved in community projects like beach clean ups, playground maintenance and adopt-a-highway clean-ups. The arts program offers cooking, creative writing, performing arts, as well as arts and crafts. The Haiku club also offers and plans sporting events, tournaments, career development, technological education and social events for their youth.
THEY NEED:
• 40 padded folding chairs
• Digital video camera
• Upright freezer
• Portable air conditioner
• Microwave
• Cubbies
CONTACT: Gina McLain, Haiku Unit Director, (808) 575-9024 or 344-5506 or at 2830 Hana Highway, Haiku, HI 96708.
Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Maui County
Where do kids go for support and advice when their own families are too busy and school counselors don’t seem like a good idea? The Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Maui County matches Bigs (adults) with Littles (youth) in the community, forming a one-on-one mentoring program. They say youth in the program are 46 percent less likely to start using drugs, 27 percent less likely to start using alcohol and 52 percent less likely to skip school. The progression and development of Maui kids into productive and confident young adults is priceless to our community. Sixty percent of their income comes from clothing and small item donations. BBBS serves Maui and Molokai.
THEY NEED:
• Clothing
• Knick-knacks
• Bedding
• Linens
• Shoes
• Handbags and other small items in good condition (please, no large appliances or furniture)
CONTACT: Call 242-9754 or visit our website at www.bbbsmaui.org and click on “Donate” to schedule your pick-up.
Pacific Whale Foundation
The Pacific Whale Foundation promotes appreciation, understanding and protection of whales, dolphins, coral reefs and our planet’s oceans. We accomplish this by educating the public from a scientific perspective about the marine environment. We support and conduct responsible marine research and address marine conservation issues in Hawai`i and the Pacific. Our award-winning marine education programs help thousands of Maui school children learn about the ocean around us and the need for marine stewardship through field trips (whale watches, tidepool explorations, etc.), and hands-on science programs (water testing etc.) in our Ocean Discovery Center’s laboratory classrooms.
THEY NEED:
• Binoculars – 5 pairs “Bushnell Marine” for use aboard our educational vessel
• Global Positioning System
• A van – Ford E Series, diesel
• Digital Cameras
• For full wish list please go to www.pacificwhale.org
CONTACT: Kelly Vough, programs manager, at Kelly@pacificwhale.org or by calling 808-249-8811.
Comments
comments