Kazi Foods’ restaurants Burger King Hawaii and KFC Hawaii have launched a “Leis of Hope” campaign to raise funds for Muscular Dystrophy Association Hawaii. The campaign will support an annual summer camp program for children age 6-17 who are affected by neuromuscular diseases.
Beginning May 1, all Kazi Foods-operated Burger King and KFC stores throughout the state will sell leis for $1 and $5 (they will also accept donations of any amount). The money raised will be used to send children to Camp Erdman on the North Shore of Oahu for one week, starting June 16.
“At summer camp, these children discover a world created specifically for them, and are available to meet many other kids sharing the same needs and experiences,” said Adrianna O’Donnell, Executive Director of MDA Hawaii, in an Apr. 30 news release. The summer camp also offers families and parents a much-needed week of respite, as they often serve as full-time caregivers for their children, according to the organization.
The cost to send a child to summer camp is $800. The goal for each BK and KFC Hawaii fast-food restaurants is to raise at least $27 per day to reach the per-store goal of $800 by the end of the month. Kazi Foods anticipates collecting more than $15,000, which is its overall goal.
MDA hosts more than 80 summer camp sessions nationwide, offering a range of activities that are specifically designed for youths who have limited mobility or use wheelchairs. In Hawaii, the annual campaign is sponsored by local corporations and individuals, and helps more than 500 local families who are affected by neuromuscular disease, including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The nonprofit provides medical care and social services to patients registered with MDA at clinics on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island.
MDA Hawaii also facilitates support groups for families affected by neuromuscular diseases; runs a loan closet filled with medical equipment accessible to MDA families; and provides summer camp in Mokuleia for children ages 6-17 fighting progressive muscle diseases. Nationally, MDA funds more than 300 research teams worldwide and maintains a network of some 200 hospital-affiliated clinics.
Photo courtesy Harris Agency
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