Less than two weeks before Thanksgiving Day, The Salvation Army’s Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Division received word that it would receive a substantial holiday season gift donation made through the Hawaii Community Foundation. The donor’s name was not disclosed when details were negotiated.
One detail was telling, though, for anyone versed in recent pop-music repertoire: The donor wanted to provide 24,000 meals to residents in need during the season.
Hawaii’s own Bruno Mars, who had just wrapped up his 24K Magic World Tour, with its final shows at Aloha Stadium, was soon pegged as the mystery benefactor.
“We were thrilled. … Bruno is a shining example of how people in Hawaii step forward and take care of one another and we are grateful to him for his aloha and kokua,” said Major Jeff Martin, who oversees the Honolulu-based division that includes the entire state as well as Guam, the Marshall Islands and Micronesia.
The pop star’s donation is being used to expand this year’s reach of “Share a Holiday Feast,” a Salvation Army-Foodland partnership through which cash-strapped families and homebound residents receive vouchers that go toward holiday meals. Through December, Foodland shoppers can pitch in for the annual effort at the grocery’s checkout.
“Individuals who are in need are asked to contact their local Salvation Army Corps in their island communities for assistance,” said Martin, who has been heading the division alongside his wife, Major Eloisa Martin, since July.
The move here from Long Beach, Calif. — where Martin served at the Christian faith-based organization’s western territory headquarters as education secretary and taught at its college for officer training — was a bit of a homecoming for the couple. Eight years ago, they held positions at the Hawaii division.
“Our daughter and her family live here on Oahu so it’s wonderful to be home again and near our grandchildren,” he said.
A Colorado native, Martin was introduced to the Salvation Army while serving in the Air Force, stationed in upstate New York. “I began attending church services at the local corps (church) and, in time, I felt that God was calling me into the ministry,” he said. After completing enlistment, Martin and his wife enrolled in Salvation Army officer training.
“In my present job, I get to be an encouragement to officers who are serving throughout the Hawaiian islands and beyond. I am privileged to be able to support and guide their efforts to help The Salvation Army do the most good in this beautiful place,” Martin said.
He added, “I find great satisfaction in knowing that I can make a difference in one life at a time, and that difference can have a lasting effect that may extend beyond my time on Earth.”
Question:We’re now seeing (and hearing) bell ringers on busy street corners and in shopping areas, collecting donations that will go for Christmas gifts for at-risk keiki and families. How’s this season’s kettle campaign going?
Answer: Our annual Red Kettle campaign is an important fundraising tool for us to support social service outreach programs in communities across the state. The goal for the virtual “Online Red Kettle,” on our website, is $50,000. The goal of our traditional Red Kettle campaign in Hawaii is approximately $900,000.
To accomplish the traditional goal, we do need the community’s help in supporting our kettles when they see them at businesses in their neighborhoods. It’s also important to note that funds raised in a community, stay in that community.
In addition, we can use the support of volunteers to staff our red kettles. A variety of shifts are available. It’s easy to sign up at hawaii.salvationarmy.org (click on the “volunteer” link). Keiki are welcome to volunteer for the kettles. However, anyone under age 18 needs to be accompanied by an adult.
Q: A sizeable amount of the kettle collection is in spare change?
A: That’s true. Every penny helps us achieve our goals … and supports our social service outreach programs. We raised just over $700,000 during the 2017 Red Kettle Campaign, and approximately one-third of that was raised via coins.
Q: Another longtime tradition, the Angel Tree, which collects gifts for keiki and kapuna, is up and running?
A: Yes. Every keiki deserves to experience the joy of Christmas morning. And, thanks to supporters of The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, thousands of keiki and seniors in Hawaii will find gifts under their Christmas trees this year. Last year, more than 26,000 gifts for keiki and seniors were donated through the Angel Tree program in Hawaii.
The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, supported by Central Pacific Bank, provides new clothing or toys for keiki and gifts for seniors in need through the support of donors. Christmas trees are decorated with paper angel tag ornaments, with the first name, age and gender of a keiki or senior in need. Donors can select one or more tags from a tree and purchase appropriate gifts for keiki or kupuna described on the tags.
The public can pick up Angel Tree tags at any of Central Pacific Bank’s 35 branches and at many malls and businesses statewide. We ask that the unwrapped gifts are returned to the Angel Tree where they were pulled.
Q:Is the Salvation Army a “Giving Tuesday” participant?
A: Yes. Earlier this week, following the biggest shopping days of the year, millions of people around the world came together for #GivingTuesday. … It doesn’t matter what you give or how you give — it only matters that you give. And when you give to The Salvation Army, you help us bring hope and healing to those who need it. … Of course, community needs are year-round, so we encourage donations any day of the year.
Q: The work your division is involved in ranges from adult day health services and affordable senior housing, to at-risk youth services and housing. Plus, there’s a camp and conference center, family stores, food distribution and feeding programs. Any new initiatives or campaigns on the horizon?
A: In the coming months, we will be doing some major changes in our family treatment services and in our addiction treatment services programs, which will create greater efficiency and enhance the experience of those coming to us for help with addictions.
Q: Earlier this year, when the eruption of Kilauea’s Pu‘u O‘o vent destroyed about 700 homes and displaced many families, at least for a time, The Salvation Army was on the scene at emergency shelters on Hawaii island. What was the focus of your work there?
A:The Salvation Army coordinated the food service for approximately 62,000 meals at the emergency shelters in the Puna District, and regularly purchased meals to support vendors and businesses in Pahoa, Keaau and Volcano Village. In addition, we operated a distribution center at the Pahoa Community Center that provided approximately 2,000 food boxes, 1,600 cases of water, 1,300 hygiene kits and 2,100 mosquito repellent cans.
Also, we provided financial assistance to those in need with approximately $18,000 in vouchers for use at The Salvation Army’s thrift stores in Hilo, Honokaa and Kailua-Kona.
Q: Looking forward, what goals do you have in mind for the new year?
A: In 2019, we’ll mark the 125th anniversary of The Salvation Army’s establishment in Hawaii. For this momentous year, we look forward to sharing our rich history of meeting the greatest needs in our islands, continuing our work in strengthening our presence in local communities, and inspiring change and hope for years to come.
We have some ambitious fundraising goals in the coming years, which will help to solidify our ability to continue to march forward.
(At the request of Central Union Church, the first contingent of “Salvationists” came to Hawaii in 1894. The organization was formed 16 years earlier in an impoverished area of London. Its current outreach encompasses more than 120 countries.)
Q: What do you enjoy most about your work?
A: Whatever I do, I feel it makes a difference in somebody’s life. From my first appointment in Lahaina, Maui, to my present appointment, I have always felt that my work focuses on making the lives of those I serve a little better. Whether it is the homeless person who comes for food and clothing, or the children who come to Sunday School, my efforts have a positive effect on the lives of someone else.
