TheBuzz
TheBuzz
The state Council on Revenues projects losses of $158.4 million. People are losing jobs. Companies are cutting pay. Social service agencies are bracing for the onslaught of great need. Rays of light
in a dark timeTheBuzz is not above reporting feel-good stories from local businesses to counter bad news or encourage "copycat" behavior where possible.
Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties is among the many Hawaii companies collecting nonperishables for the Hawaii Foodbank.
Today its agents will accept food and personal products, including diapers, at their open houses.
Donations have also been collected at the company's five Oahu locations in Kailua, Aiea, Kapiolani, Waikiki and Kahala. The effort began Nov. 9.
Sharing a windfall
An HMSA refund check sent to Myers Advertising prompted the office manager to ask President Jean Myers where the funds should go.At her direction the money was divided and each employee received a check for nearly $200.
Staffers were encouraged to support the agency's clients with the money, "but they didn't have to bring back a receipt or anything," Myers said.
Myers' employees also received $75 Star Markets gift certificates just in time for Thanksgiving.
HMSA in October sent all of its employer groups refund checks for about 5 percent of their annual dues, according to spokesman Chuck Marshall.
"What they decide to do (with the money) is up to them," he said. "Some are in a dire situation and need it to run their business, while others are passing it along.
"A couple thanked us for the allowance, and donated it to the Foodbank or other charity. Others are sharing it with their employees in unique ways. It's a very positive kind of story especially at a time when folks need relief the most."
The Foodbank receives a huge amount of publicity when compared to many other nonprofit organizations.
One reason may be that it provides donated food to 245 other charities on Oahu, as well as to food banks Kauai, Maui and the Big Island.
One good turn ...
... tripled normal off-peak attendance at Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park, with more than 6,000 visitors over the Veterans Day weekend.The park offered free admission for active-duty military personnel and veterans, and discounted admission for dependents and the general public.
The latter created their own coupons by drawing pictures with patriotic themes.
The coupon art is destined for Hawaii military installations as a thank you message to members of the armed services.
Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin.
Call 529-4302, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached
at: eengle@starbulletin.com
