Christmas giving in Hawaii

Our blog seems to be catching the Christmas spirit as well, as many stories we have shared are about giving. This focuses on a Rotary club of Hawaii giving to children who live at a Hawaiian homeless shelter. The story on the gifts to children came from the Maui Weekly.

Santa and Dora the Explorer deliver toys from the Rotary Club of Kahului.

Christmas came early for pre-schoolers at the Wailuku A Homeless Shelter on Dec. 17, when the Rotary Club of Kahului brought Santa and his bright red bag brimming with toys to the Head Start class.

As part of the Rotary club’s 2008 “Make Dreams Real” service theme, the event provided toys to 20 of Maui’s needful children.

“As Rotarians, we are committed to the motto of service above self,” said Club President Sandy Baz. “This project allows us to share the blessings that we have received with children who otherwise might not have had a Christmas gift.”

The club partnered with MEO Head Start Director Debbi Amaral to get “Dream Gift” wishes from each child in the Wailuku A Head Start program. Rotarians chose children’s dreams, granted them through local stores, and delivered the wrapped gifts to the shelter.

The holiday party came complete with a pizza feast, a gift exchange, and Christmas carols that brought lots of giggles and smiles to the kids.