The Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Foundation hosts luncheon for homeless families and keiki December 18, 2014

On December 18, 2014, twenty-five preschool-aged children and their caregivers from Ka Pa‘alana’s Onelau‘ena, Onemalu, and Pai‘olu Kaiāulu Shelter sites attended a luncheon organized by the Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Foundation’s staff and consultants. It was an overwhelmingly joyous experience filled with balloon animals, tattoos, art, photo opportunities with Olaf and Elsa from Frozen and an obligatory minion from Despicable Me, and of course the great company of Weinberg Foundation’s staff and consultants who were busy holding babies, passing out cupcakes, escorting parents along the buffet line, and talking to the preschool families.

The children and families were treated to a buffet lunch, a special visit by Santa Claus, and thanks to the abundant generosity of the Weinberg Foundation’s staff and consultants, each child received a large bag filled with gifts, each caregiver received a gift card from Walmart as well as a gift bag full of goodies from Hawai‘i USA FCU. If that wasn’t enough, the Weinberg Foundation also provided a generous monetary gift to Partners in Development Foundation to continue its work with vulnerable families and children.

When asked about why Harry Weinberg was so committed to giving back to his community, one staff member shared that when Harry was a child, he and his family benefited directly from community organizations who gave to the family generously and without obligation. As a result of that and many other experiences growing up with extremely modest means, Harry and Jeannette Weinberg made philanthropy a priority.

“While others are finding the cures for all the ills of the world, someone will be hungry, someone will be cold. That’s our job.” – Harry Weinberg

Hopefully, the generosity of the Weinberg Foundation and the impact from this experience will contribute to children who grow up with a passion to give back to the less fortunate in their communities.

Mahalo nui loa to the many hands and hearts that made this day possible.