StarBulletin.com

Slipper drive hopes to get 3,000 pairs for kids' feet


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POSTED: Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Each Christmas since 2005 Lynn Vasquez's pet project has been to provide rubber slippers to needy kids.

The Auntie Lynn's 2008 Christmas Wish Slippah Project is once again seeking donations to buy the most basic footwear for those who would otherwise go barefoot. This year she needs at least 3,000 pairs, said Vasquez, a community volunteer from Mayor Wright Housing.

“;It's just magical; it's snowballing! But I wanted to help needy children, so it's right on target,”; she said.

Last year, she and friend Blaine Fergerstrom, who takes care of the finances, bought more than 1,000 pairs.

The project started at Mayor Wright in 2005, but she also gave slippers to kids at the Kamehameha and Kaahumanu Homes, and the homeless children on the beaches of Waianae in 2007.

This year she has added Kuhio Park Terrace, Palolo Housing, Institute of Human Services, and shelters in Waianae and on the Leeward Coast. An offshoot project on Kauai needs about 1,500 pairs.

Checks can be mailed to: Blaine Fergerstrom, 1689 Piikea St., Honolulu 96818. Make check payable to Blaine Fergerstrom with a note, “;For Lynn's Slippah Project.”;

Online donations can be made at www.slippah.org. For information, call Vasquez at 847-2221 or 285-3205.

The project also distributes donated clothes and toys. Sharon Black's KauKau Wagon will sponsor the celebration dinner at 7 p.m. Dec. 19 at Mayor Wright.