Christmas Cheer Project
grows in Maui County

WAILUKU » What began as a donation of two Christmas trees 10 years ago has turned into an annual giveaway of dozens of Christmas trees and food boxes through Maui resident Robert Douglas' Christmas Cheer Project.

Robert Douglas: His annual drive now enjoys support from volunteers and businesses

"I never intended it to be more than a one-time thing. I don't know why I do it. I know one thing: I get more than what I give," Douglas said.

Douglas, 69, nearly blind, said he initially donated two Christmas trees to a couple of families after listening to a request for a contribution on a program from radio announcer Boy Kanae.

Douglas said the donations have grown to 25 Christmas trees and food boxes on Molokai and 53 Christmas trees and 40 boxes of food on Maui this year, largely due to volunteers and contributors, some of whom have never been to Maui.

In the last couple of years, the Christmas Cheer Project and Morrad Food Services' Give a Feast project have combined efforts.

Morrad, a division of HFM Food Service, contributes an additional 40 boxes of food to Maui residents and provides its site as the location for the giveaway on the Valley Isle.

Morrad spokeswoman Barbara Sowers said many of the boxes are sponsored by local restaurants.

"We really believe there's a big need out there for meals and feel this is just a way we can give back to the community," she said.

The giveaway includes a turkey and other food products, including stuffing, potatoes, rice, yams, cranberry sauce and corn.

Volunteer groups also distributed donated toys yesterday.

The recipients are selected by the Salvation Army and Maui County Department of Housing and Human Concerns officials who help low-income residents with housing subsidies.

Corporate sponsors include Island Air, Longs Drug-Kihei, Star Market-Kihei, Lowe's Home Improvement, Home Depot, Hawaiian Premier Mortgage, LaCosta Realty, Jeco Air Conditioning and Kmart.

Douglas said he became blind in his right eye in 1967 and partially blind in the left eye in 1976 but considers himself fortunate to live on Maui, where people are willing to pitch in and help others.

He said he knows of a woman living in Makawao who cried when she heard she had been selected to receive a Christmas tree, along with ornaments and lights, and a box of food.

"She's severely ill and she has three kids," Douglas said.

Douglas said he hopes other individuals will be inspired to start their own project to help others.

"I'll be certainly happy to help them get started if I can," he said. "You'll find people are really willing to help."