Generous donations from community organizations, partners, and individuals make Christmas brighter for homeless families December 20, 2011

On Tuesday, December 20, 2011, the staff of Ka Pa‘alana, along with our preschool families and keiki, Miss Chinatown Hawai‘i Shannon Wong, Lencia Glover (see related story), several members of the Pacific Century Fellows, and Hawai‘iNewsNow celebrated Christmas at Kea‘au Beach Park.

This year, Christmas came early as a result of donations and support from community organizations, partners, and individuals who joined together to make sure that all of our families could share in the joys of the season.

Costco Kapolei donated pastries and Christmas trees, the 6th grade class from Kamehameha Schools donated wrapped toys and necessities, the Pacific Century Fellows donated their time and support, Miss Chinatown Hawai‘i Shannon Wong shared story time with the keiki, and Lencia Glover (a senior at Hālau Kū Māna Charter School) brought boxes of clothing donations she had collected the prior month. And the day was made possible through generous funding from Kamehameha Schools, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and the Friends of Hawai‘i Charities.

In the true spirit of the season, the families, keiki, staff, and guests shared in a prayer and a meal in addition to enjoying preschool activities for the day, which ended with each keiki walking away with a wrapped gift, and each family taking home a Christmas tree. Mahalo to the many hands that made this day possible.

Read the related story at HawaiiNewsNow.com