About $16,500 was raised in Waikiki Health Center's Back to School Canister Drive to help provide medical services to needy and homeless children. Waikiki Health Center
collects for needy childrenStar-Bulletin staff
The Hawaii Medical Services Association and 196 Oahu retailers were partners in the drive.
The funds help provide school physicals, immunizations and other health care to children whose families are struggling to make ends meet. Many can't afford the newly required chicken pox vaccination, typically costing $50, the center said.
About 1,150 school-age children are expected to receive services at the Waikiki Health Center clinics this year. Of those, 40 percent will be from low-income homes and/or are uninsured, according to the center.
School physicals, immunizations and other medical services are provided at the center's clinic in Waikiki and outreach clinics in Haleiwa, Kahaluu and Punaluu.
Volunteer efforts of Ala Wai and Jefferson School students, Waikiki Community Center's pre-schoolers and many individuals helped make the Canister Drive a success, the health center said.
Donations still are needed. Checks or money orders may be sent to "Back to School," Waikiki Health Center, 277 Ohua Ave., Honolulu, 96815.
Waikiki Health Center