‘Need goes on’
for Hawaii’s desperate
The Star-Bulletin's Good
By Eloise Aguiar
Neighbor Fund aids the needy
Star-BulletinThe only gift Jeanne Marn wanted for Christmas was to make a donation to the Honolulu Star-Bulletin Good Neighbor Fund. On the other hand, while E.N. Motooka says she's lived without the basic necessities of life, now that she has all she needs, she wants to share.
Motooka, 78, gave $25 and said she gives whatever she can.
"I had a very hard childhood, and I know what it is to go without things, especially during Christmas," Motooka said, adding that adult life wasn't kind, either. She became a widow at 24 and had to raise two children by herself. "So I know what it is to struggle."
The Pauoa resident said she is saddened to see homeless people and older residents who can't make ends meet. So she also contributes to the Waikiki Health Center, River of Life Mission, hurricane and earthquake victims and her church.
"It's a good feeling that I'm able to do it," she said. "When I see the happy faces, it makes your heart really warm to realize that the little things can make them happy."
James Marn agrees that his wife is special to prefer making a donation instead of receiving a gift. The couple regularly donates to charities this time of the year, but this was the first year they gave to the Good Neighbor Fund.
"Just out of nowhere, she asked if we can do that and do it every year instead of shopping for presents," Marn said. Still wanting to give his wife a gift, Marn said he asked again about giving her a present.
"She reminded me that the Good Neighbor Fund was her gift," he said. "That meant more to her than a Christmas gift."
Because of Motooka, Marn and hundreds of people like them, the Honolulu Star-Bulletin Good Neighbor Fund collected more than $29,000 as of Friday. All of it will be used to purchase food for the needy. More donations are coming in, and the final amount is expected to equal last year at about $32,160.
The Star-Bulletin -- in partnership with the Community Clearing House, a program of Helping Hands Hawaii; the Hawaii Food Industry Association; and First Hawaiian Bank -- conducts the month-long drive every year. The money is converted into food coupons that are distributed during the holidays and are redeemable at participating grocery stores.
Some 109 families were assisted this year, but the need for donations lasts all year, said Joseph Campton, director of the Community Clearinghouse.
The number of agencies requesting aid from the fund has doubled. This year, 68 agencies distributed fund proceeds. For next Christmas, 138 agencies have requested fund support.
"This need goes on, and it's getting larger each month as the welfare people drop off the roll," Campton said.
So far, the community has responded with an open heart, he said. Despite economic shortfalls, donations of all types have increased over last year's collection.
"I personally didn't have any expectation about what the giving would be like because of the economy, but it was absolutely outstanding," Campton said.
