An annual Christmas program sponsored by the Catholic Diocese of Honolulu’s prison ministry is collecting donations for children whose mothers are incarcerated at the Women’s Community Correctional Center in Kailua.
"The Star Light, Star Bright! Christmas program reunites children from all islands with their moms — and for Neighbor Island families, provides airfare, lodging and meals for the weekend," according to a news release from coordinator Paulette Vernay.
The program will host a Christmas party at the prison Dec. 12, and a second short mother-child visit is slated for Dec. 13.
"It is heart-wrenching for children to be separated from their mom, especially at Christmas," Vernay said.
Last year the program covered airfare for 59 children and 34 caregivers on neighbor islands. Since the program was started in 2000, almost 3,000 children have received gifts and attended Christmas parties. The prison ministry started transporting children and caregivers to Oahu in 2012 for the annual party and weekend stay.
The ministry is now collecting nonperishable snacks, canned food, basic toiletries, laundry supplies and household paper products for caregivers. All items should be put into sturdy laundry baskets, which will be part of the entire gift.
"Necessities can be very expensive and the items in the baskets are really appreciated by the caregivers who are on limited or low incomes," Vernay said. Also needed are gift certificates to various supermarkets for caregivers to make a Christmas dinner for the children, she said.
Baskets should be dropped off at the St. Stephen Diocesan Center, 6301 Pali Highway in Kaneohe, where the children and caregivers will be lodged. Drop-off times: 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 7 and 8. To make other arrangements for donation delivery, call 203-6722 or email pvernay@rcchawaii.org.
Checks may be mailed to the Roman Catholic Church (include memo: Star Light, Star Bright!), 6301 Pali Highway, Kaneohe, HI 96744. To donate online, visit catholichawaii.org/starlight.
Combined effort to help isle’s homeless families
Jewish synagogues are asking for donations of twin-bed sheet sets for the Family Promise program, which assists homeless families.
Temple Emanu-El, Sof Ma’arav, Aloha Jewish Chapel and the Oahu Jewish Ohana are among dozens of faith communities that take part in the program by hosting homeless families for a week in a rotation schedule, giving them a place to sleep, meals and other accommodations.
The synagogues are seeking donations of new twin-size fitted sheets with top sheets and pillowcases to match, preferably made of cotton, as they are cooler than sheets made from polyester or microfiber.
Donations may be dropped off at Temple Emanu-El’s office, 2550 Pali Highway, or at the 54th annual Nuuanu Valley Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration on Tuesday at the Community Church of Honolulu, 2345 Nuuanu Ave. Family Promise, whose mission is to help homeless families find stable shelter and establish independence, will be the beneficiary of all donations collected at the holiday service.
For additional information, send email to Richard Field at executivedirector@shaloha.com.
