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Cover Story
Charity Gift Guide
Attention holiday do-gooders: local non-profits need your help!
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November 26, 2009 Ask the average man on the street what charity he's supporting this year, and the answer you'll almost certainly get is: "me." Things are tough—as you don't need to be reminded—and most of us are circling the wagons, focusing on our own wellbeing.
And yet, in these lean times, local charities and nonprofits need help more than ever. It's a cruel irony that as demand for their services increases, generosity dries up.
So—if you can, give. It doesn't have to be a huge chunk of cash (though nobody's gonna turn that down). It could be a few cans of soup, some forgotten item shoved in the corner of your garage or just a few hours of your time.
A little altruism won't undo the global financial meltdown. But it could rescue a stray cat, give a kid a safe place to go after school, get someone off drugs or help your neighbor cook a Thanksgiving dinner. And that might be even better.
MAUI FOOD BANK
While it's essential year-round, food gains special importance around the holidays. Through a network of many participating organizations, Maui Food Bank collects, warehouses and distributes mass quantities of donated food to those in need. Lend a hand and help feed the hungry.
They Need:
Non-perishable food, especially canned meat, soups with protein rice and pasta
Cash donations
Contact: Marlene Rice, Development Director, 243-9500
NA HOALOHA - NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS
Na Hoaloha - Neighbors Helping Neighbors is a 15-year-old nonprofit agency that provides volunteers to help seniors remain independent and in their homes for as long as possible. They run the Aloha Cruisers program, which pays gas mileage reimbursement to people who give seniors rides for shopping and medical appointments and the Time Out for Caregivers program to help family members who are caring for an elder at home. Their volunteers provide companionship and help with chores and errands to homebound seniors.
They Need:
Financial Support for adult day care scholarships, mileage reimbursement, family caregiver stipends
Volunteer drivers
Friendly visitors
A new desktop computer
Help with file maker database
Contact: Gerri Shapiro, Executive Director, 250-1212 or nahoalohamaui@aol.com
MAUI ADULT DAYCARE CENTERS
Maui Adult Day Care Centers provide social daytime therapeutic services for individuals who are frail, elderly, diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or other related forms of dementia and adults who are physically and mentally challenged. They care for clients in a safe, loving environment and provide support to families and caregivers through workshops, support groups and one-on-one counseling.
They Need:
Six hospital beds
Puzzles (5-100 pieces)
Geri chairs
Simple craft kits
File cabinets
Pictures of birds of paradise, orchids, and pikake flowers
Artificial flower arrangements
Colored markers
Two boom boxes
Crayons
Classic movies/ shows on DVD
Glue
Classic/oldies CDs/music
Four TVs
Construction paper
Contact: Kathleen Couch, Caregiver/Program Coordinator,243- 9318 or kathleen@madcc.org; Margie De La Cruz, Executive Assistant, 871-5804 or margie@madcc.org
PACIFIC WHALE FOUNDATION
Pacific Whale Foundation works to protect whales, dolphins and the ocean environment through marine research, public education and conservation. Programs include the "Butts off the Beach" campaign to prevent cigarette butt litter, "Be whale aware," which educates boaters and recreational ocean users to prevent disturbances to whales, and various marine education programs for school children on Maui.
They Need:
Clean, empty 35mm film canisters to repurpose into portable ashtrays for "Butts off the Beach"
Donations of merchandise or services for the silent auction for the upcoming Whale Day celebration on Feb. 20, 2010
Cash donations for the "No Child Left Indoors" program to fund outdoor environmental education opportunities for underprivileged school children.
Contact: Kelly Vough, Programs Director, 249-8811 ext. 1 or programs@pacificwhale.org
MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA
Mental health America provides public education, family support and advocacy. They also offer support groups and classes for family members of people with mental illness and autism, and support groups for those who have lost their jobs. They send out group speakers and work to educate county, state and federal officials about community mental health needs, via Maui Disability Alliance.
They Need:
Volunteers to assist their committees and board
Help with setup and cleanup for public events
A new stapler with staples
Paper for printing/copying
Postage stamps
Cash donations
Contact: Colleen D'Shea Wallace, Maui Director, 242-6461 or colleenmh9@yahoo.com
BIG BROTHERS, BIG SISTERS
Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Maui works to reach at-risk keiki, making a difference in the lives of the island's youth through proven, effective one-on-one mentoring programs.
They Need:
School supplies
Sports equipment (football, basketball, volleyball)
Board games
Arts & crafts supplies
Computer games
Snacks and drinks
Gift cards
Cash donations
Contact: Char Tomas, Director of Operations, 242-9754 ext. 209 or char@bbsmaui.org
MAUI FOREST BIRD RECOVERY PROJECT
Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project works to protect Maui's endangered birds and restore their habitat through research and conservation. They monitor endangered forest birds and conduct surveys to determine the survival and productivity of endangered birds, reduce alien predation and develop field protocols, such as translocation to a new habitat.
They Need:
Rubber boots of all sizes
Tents (two person)
Rechargeable AA batteries and chargers
Printer/copy paper
Lawnmower
Energy efficient dryer
General office supplies
Optical mice (three)
Computer upgrades
Contact: Kelly Iknayan, 573 0280
KEIKI CUPBOARD
Keiki Cupboard is an all-volunteer charity dedicated to providing school supplies, hygiene products and shoes to children that need them. "Cupboards" are set up and stocked in schools and supplies are given out by school counselors without shame, fuss or red tape. Currently Keiki Cupboard is in six Valley Isle schools and is looking to expand to every school on Maui.
They Need:
Crocs or unisex covered shoes sizes 6-11
Slippers in child sizes 8/9-5/6
Boys and girls underwear, all sizes
Uku shampoo
Combs, brushes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant and hand sanitizer
Backpacks
Basic school supplies
Art supplies
Sharpie pens
Dry erase markers
Combination locks
Flash drives (for intermediate schools)
Contact: Bonny Ponting, President, 280-1021
LAHAINA ARTS ASSOCIATION
Lahaina Arts Association provides free art education classes for disadvantaged children and families in Maui County, as well as offering youth art scholarships.
They Need:
Art supplies
Frames
Gift certificates for supplies (Costco, Office Max, Ben Franklin)
Canopy/tent
Grids/stand/peg board to hang artwork outside for fairs
Digital cameras
Cash donations
Contact: Amy Watson, Gallery Manager, 661-0111
Akaku Community Television
Akaku is Maui's community television station. They hold regular Producer Gatherings and Media Salons featuring informative discussions with experts in various media fields. They provide light pupus at the events for people coming straight from work, but due to a revenue shortfall, will no longer be able to "break bread" with the community. They are looking for a "free-speech angel" to step in.
They Need:
A popcorn machine
Bags, salt and popcorn
A sponsor for light pupus for a Media Salon or Producers Gathering (about $100)
Coffee
Contact: Linda Puppolo, Administrative Services Director, 871-5554
LAHAINALUNA HIGH SCHOOL FOUNDATION
The Lahainaluna High School Foundation has been supporting the Lahainaluna school community through scholarships, grants, sponsorships and capital improvement projects since 2002. Lahainaluna is the oldest high school west of the Rocky Mountains and its football and track programs go back more than 80 years. Yet the school is still without a track and a stadium. The Foundation is now engaged in a plan to bring a sports and events stadium to this 178-year-old high school.
They Need:
Donations to their Stadium Capital Campaign. Many opportunities are available, from the "IMU turf" sponsorship for $50 to the Ke Ala O Na Po'okela (Path of Champions) custom brick pavers for $150, $500 and $1,000, to larger donations that will be recognized on the "Wall of Honor" and scoreboard signage
Contact: Leslie Hiraga, Executive Director, 661-5332 or email LHSFoundation@hawaiiantel.net; Jeff Rogers, Development Coordinator, lhsf08@yahoo.com
MAUI TOMORROW FOUNDATION
Maui Tomorrow Foundation works to keep the community updated and informed on issues related to sustainability, water (from the source to the sea), alternative energy, food security, affordable housing, comprehensive planning and the management of natural and cultural resources. Look for more community forums in the coming year as Maui Tomorrow brings diverse groups and lively debate together.
They need:
Cash donations
Irene Bowie, Executive Director, 244.7570, director@maui-tomorrow.org
MAUI BIRD CONSERVATION CENTER
The Maui Bird Conservation Center (MBCC) is one of two facilities in Hawaii operated by the San Diego Zoo's Hawaii Endangered Bird Conservation Program (HEBPC). Since 1993, the HEBCP has released 723 birds into the wild, including more than 400 nene throughout the Hawaiian Islands.
They Need:
Push lawn mower
Gardening tools (shovels, hand trowels, gloves)
Native plants
Kitchen knives
Fax machine
Bark chips
Chainsaw
Hanging planter baskets
Handsaws (5)
Digital camera
Office chairs
Hoses
Gift certificates to hardware stores
Contact: Rachael Polmanteer & Amy Poopatanapong, 572-0690 or mbcc@hawaiiantel.net
THE SALVATION ARMY
The Salvation Army has been serving Maui since December of 1895—providing 114 years of care and service to the island's citizens. Last year, between their Kahului and Lahaina sites, they served 80,792 hot meals. They provide emergency services, and a safe haven where the homeless can sleep, shower and receive case management assistance. In addition to homeless programs, they provide toys for needy children and after school programs.
They need:
Red kettle donations
Toys and clothing
Backpacks and school supplies
Food donations
Blankets
Prayers of support
Contact: Captain Mark Merritt, Kahului Corps. Maui Coordinator, 871-6270
OHANA MAKAMAE
Ohana Makamae, formed in 1999, is Hana's first and only family resource Center. Over the last 10 years, OMI has established itself as a valuable and trusted community resource, a place where no family's troubles are too great or too small to receive attention. The organization's mission is "to strengthen the families of the Hana district through the practice of Hawaiian culture and spiritual values." Their Keiki Makame program provides moms and pregnant women with children up to age three the opportunity to participate in activities, have group discussion, eat a hearty lunch and take home a complimentary food box. They also offer a substance abuse outpatient program and counseling for adults, plus treatment/education/counseling for adolescents, drug screenings, individual and family counseling and a sober living home.
They need:
Gift certificates/presents for children newborn to 18 years old
Outdoor toys
Riding toys (ages 1-3)
Infant/child car seat
Strollers
Gift certificates for special program/occasions
New office carpeting
Volunteers for committees/special events/fundraisers
Desktop computers/laptops
Massage tables (2)
Automobiles (to transport clients to and from programs)
New office supplies
Monetary donations
Contact: U'ilani Phillips-Tehiva, Office Manager, 248-8538, ohanam-admin@hawaiiantel.net
LAHAINA BYPASS NOW
Lahaina Bypass Now (LBN) is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization, committed to finding transportation solutions in West Maui. LBN's vision is to create a better quality of life for West Maui residents and visitors by accelerating the development of an effective regional transportation system.
They need:
A mini refrigerator
Copy paper (any kind)
Pens
A small folding table
Table & chairs
Contact: Norma Barton, Executive Director, 661-7161
PA'IA YOUTH & CULTURAL CENTER
Pa'ia Youth & Cultural Center seeks to provide a safe place—emotionally and physically—for the youth of Paia and surrounding communities that offers a variety of social, educational, cultural, vocational and recreational activities.
We need:
They Need:
A new pool table
A new video projector
Peter C. Swanzy, Program Director, 579-8354
AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION
The American Lung Association champions respiratory health through various tobacco cessation and prevention programs.
They Need:
Volunteers
Contact: Helen Barrow,CTTS , Program Coordinator, 244-5110, hbarrow@ala-hawaii.org
KE KULA 'IKE NO KE KAIAULU RESOURCE & LEARNING CENTER
Ke Kula 'Ike No Ke Kaiaulu Resource & Learning Center is a non-profit educational facility in Hana. They are "completely off the grid" and working to incorporate sustainability with a combination of aquaculture and permaculture.
They Need:
New solar panels
A pond liner (15' x 20')
Danelle Smith, Principal/President), 248-7069, kulaike@gmail.com
9th Life Hawaii
9th Life Hawaii is a no-kill shelter dedicated to the humane treatment of Maui's feline population. They provide adoption services while striving to reduce Maui's feral population through sterilization.
Travel trailer, RV to house a cat caretaker
Carpenters and painters to donate time
Wall board, plywood, two-by-fours
Wood to make cat cubbies
Roofing shingles
Cat food
Cat litter
Cat condos
Cat carriers, traps
Contact: Phyllis Tavares, Executive Director, 572-3499 or 9thlifehawaii@earthlink.net
Think locally
Keeping your dollars on Maui has a big impact
OK, you've given all you can to charity—now what? How do you continue to have a positive impact on the community even as you spend money on yourself and your loved ones?
The short answer: shop locally.
According to data from the economic analysis firm Civic Economics, 68 cents of every dollar spent at a locally owned business stays local, meaning the money circulates to other establishments rather than sailing off to the Mainland or some foreign destination. By contrast, only 43 cents of every dollar spent at a chain store sticks around. That extra 25 cents adds up fast.
How fast? Civic Economics estimates that if every reader of MauiTime promised to spend $100 holiday shopping dollars at locally owned businesses, the net effect would be $15 million staying right here. That's over $2 million more than if the money was spent at big box behemoths.
It's easy to feel hopeless about the economic situation, to throw up your hands and say "there's nothing I can do." So here's something you can do. Right now.
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