The holiday season resonates with peace and good will toward others. No matter how overloaded you are at work or at home, or how little spare change you find in your wallet after gift buying, there’s always a little something extra left to help others in the community. Consider serving food at a homeless shelter, sorting goods at a charity clearinghouse, caroling at a nursing home or donating household goods, clothing and toys to agencies that assist needy families. Find something that stirs your heart and lend a helping hand.
PEANUT BUTTER TOPS ZOO ANIMALS’ WISH LIST
Peanut butter is a favorite treat for many of the critters that reside at the Honolulu Zoo, so it’s not surprising that it tops the animals’ wish list.
Peanut butter is mixed with oats, fruits and nuts to make a tasty paste for the chimpanzees, according to Suzanne Kariya-Ramos, executive director of the Honolulu Zoo Society. The mixture is put into a simulated termite mound in the chimps’ habitat. "They need to use sticks and tools to get the treat. It helps to simulate natural behaviors," she said. "Several of the animals really like peanut butter."
Other requested items include spices, fresh fruits, vegetables, magazines, cardboard boxes, toys, stuffed animals, clothes and linens. "We’ve had entire elementary schools donate busloads of stuff," she said. "We also accept painting supplies. I have a picture that the elephant painted hanging in my office."
Cardboard boxes are used to wrap gifts for the "Christmas with the Animals" program, where presents are distributed to zoo residents. The linens and clothes are used for a variety of purposes, from bedding to making tug-of-war playthings.
Oil drums and large sturdy items can be used as toys for the bigger animals, and the chimps like stuffed toys, which they sometimes tear up and use the stuffing for bedding.
Visit www.honzoosoc.org/wish_list.htm to view the wish list. To volunteer, visit www.honzoosoc.org/programs.htm#volunteer for more information or call 926-3191.
JOIN THE MARCH TO SUPPORT TROOPS
Support our troops by sending letters of heartfelt thanks and support. Organizations with letter-writing campaigns are listed on the Department of Defense Community Relations website at www.ourmilitary.mil. Click on the "Support Our Troops" tab and click on "America Supports You Homefront Groups."
If you’d like to honor fallen service members, the Wreaths Across America program is accepting donations through Monday. On Dec. 10, wreaths will be placed on grave markers in national cemeteries, including the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl. The cost to sponsor a wreath is $15. Contact Carswell Ross at 497-1146 or email cazzbear@prodigy.net for Punchbowl wreaths and Judy Ann Williams at 269-2408 or judyann_williams@hotmail.com for West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery in Kailua-Kona.
Those wishing to provide gifts to Army personnel should visit giftstoarmy.army.mil. For volunteer opportunities, contact Amanda Koren at 655-0620 or Amanda.K.Koren.civ@mail.mil.
The USO continually accepts monetary donations to support its efforts to provide refreshments for departing and returning troops, set up holiday parties for the children of deployed service members and more. Visit www.uso.org/hawaii.
TREES SALES HELP RECOVERY PROGRAM
Buying your Christmas tree from Habilitat will help support folks trying to recover from substance abuse. Habilitat, a long-term drug and alcohol treatment center in Kaneohe, has tree lots at Stadium Mall, next to Ice Palace, 4510 Salt Lake Blvd., and in Kakaako at 805 Ala Moana Blvd.
According to spokesman Michael Casady, Habilitat serves 110 residents at a time. Before release, they receive training in construction, landscaping, accounting, food service and other occupations.
"We are recognized as one of the nation’s best, as far as success rates go," he said, noting that 54 percent of graduates remain "clean" after five years — three times the national average for substance abuse programs.
All of the money raised from Christmas trees sales will be used for scholarships and operating expenses, Casady said.
Noble, grand and Douglas firs up to 12 feet tall are available, along with door charms, wreaths, flocking and delivery. The lots are open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Dec. 18, while supplies last.
For more information, visit habilitat.org or call 235-3691.
FEED THE HUNGRY
>> Hard Rock Cafe in Waikiki hosts the “Imagine There’s No Hunger” campaign from noon to 6 p.m. Dec. 18 with the Kid’s Band Hawaii Holiday Concert. Admission is canned food items for Hawaii Foodbank. Visit www.hardrockcafe.com or www.whyhunger.org.
>> Hawaii Foodbank collects food and cash on a year-round basis. The most-needed items are canned meats, canned meals (spaghetti, chili), canned soups and canned fruits and vegetables. Every $10 raised enables the agency to distribute 25 meals. Visit www.hawaiifoodbank.org for volunteer needs and more.
>> The Institute for Human Services needs donations of fresh produce; canned fruits and vegetables; canned, fresh or frozen meat; rice, dried cereal; and condiments. Donations may be dropped off between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays at 546 Kaaahi St. Call 447-2810.
>> River of Life Mission serves its annual holiday meal from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Christmas Eve. Donations may be dropped off from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays at 101 N. Pauahi St. Call 524-7656. Someone will meet you at the curb to collect your items.
SUPPORT ISLE YOUTHS
>> Volunteers are needed to serve as court-appointed special advocates for abused and neglected children in the Family Court system. Visit CASAHawaii.org or email CASAHawaii@aol.com.
>> Big Brothers Big Sisters of Honolulu hosts the Clothes for Kids’ Sake program, collecting donations of new and used small appliances, bedding, clothing and household goods. Items are sold, with proceeds benefiting the agency. For more information or to schedule a pickup, visit www.donatebigshawaii.com or call 521-3811.
>> Bobby Benson Center, Hawaii’s only coed residential substance abuse treatment center for teens has a wish list that includes a used seven- to 15-passenger van to take residents to medical appointments and on field trips; 28 new institutional-grade mattresses and bed frames; central air conditioning for the office building; up-to-date drug and alcohol prevention training materials; and five 42-inch televisions (one for the classroom and four for residential cabins). Call Michael Johnson at 293-7555.
>> Kailana, a residential program for struggling teens, needs a waterproof camera, duffel bags, volleyballs, basketballs, sturdy gardening tools and movie and activity tickets. Gifts should be given in groups of 24, enough for all of the teens in the program. Kailana operates homes and a farm in Kahaluu. Call 380-9023 or email info@marimed.org.
HOLIDAY WISHES
>> The Children’s Alliance of Hawaii seeks Santa’s donations for its annual Christmas Angel Project, which provides gifts to sexually abused children. Donations will be accepted through Wednesday; volunteers are needed to shop and wrap gifts. Call Christine Reeves at 599-2955, ext. 202, or email reeves@cahawaii.org.
>> The Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii-Waianae is holding a toy drive from Thursday to Dec. 23 for families in transitional shelters. Drop off donations between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. weekdays. Call 696-2754.
>> The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is collecting new, unwrapped toys to deliver as Christmas gifts to needy children. To volunteer, become a drop site or find drop-off location, visit www.toysfortots.org.
>> The ARC in Hawaii needs donations of new shirts, jackets, pants, scarves, caps, toiletries, desk or clock radios and CD players to make goodie bags for more than 200 adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities on fixed incomes who reside in small community-based homes and apartment complexes. Call 737-7995, ext. 722.
>> Aloha United Way and Barnes & Noble at Ala Moana Center are holding a Holiday Book Drive through Jan. 1. Select children’s books from the store, and upon payment tell the cashier you would like your books donated to the drive. Book will be distributed through AUW and its partner agencies in support of children’s literacy efforts.
>> River of Life Mission provides gifts to homeless and low-income families during the week before Christmas. Items needed include socks, underwear, T-shirts, travel-size toiletries, hygiene products, toothbrushes, backpacks, blankets, school supplies and diapers. Donations are accepted between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. weekdays at 101 N. Pauahi St. Someone will meet you at the curb to collect donations. Call 524-7656.
>> Be a good neighbor to isle families in need by mailing cash or check donations to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s Good Neighbor Fund, c/o Helping Hands Hawaii, 2100 N. Nimitz Highway, Honolulu 96819, or dropping off donations at First Hawaiian Bank locations. Gifts, clothing and household goods can be dropped off at Community Clearinghouse at the same address through Dec. 31. To “adopt” a family, call 440-3803.
COMMUNITY CORNER
>> Hale Ola, a domestic abuse shelter, seeks 21 heavy-duty, nonplastic twin mattress covers, five new twin mattresses and bus passes. Call 528-1033.
>> Friends of the Kaneohe Library needs volunteers to sort, price and shelve books and assist customers. Apply at the basement bookstore 6 to 7:45 p.m. Wednesdays or 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays. Call 247-4819.
>> Songs of the Children, a nonprofit Christian outreach program, assists the homeless and individuals at-risk for homelessness. The agency is seeking donations of gift cards, clothing, toiletries, school supplies and children’s toys. A vehicle is being sought for a woman recovering from cancer on Maui. Visit songsofthechildren.org, call 664-4329 or email songsofthechildren@gmail.com.
>> The Institute for Human Services collects donations of toiletries and hygiene products, diapers, baby wipes, towels, cribs, small bookshelves, baby shampoo, irons and ironing boards, and folding tables and chairs. Donations may be dropped off between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays at 546 Kaaahi St. Call 447-2810.
>> Island Hospice seeks compassionate, reliable volunteers for patient and family care, office work, alternative therapies such as massage, arts and crafts, and special-event planning. Volunteer patient companions must complete an eight-hour orientation. Hours and time commitments are flexible. Call Lisa Pawlak at 550-2552.
>> Tails of Aloha, an animal-assisted therapy organization, is seeking donations of cat and dog food, clumping cat litter, 39-gallon trash bags, mosquito coils, chicken feed, wild bird seed and dog shampoo. Call Gayle at 478-8075 or Angela at 398-8735 to arrange collection.
>> Spread holiday cheer by donating your time and talent to make a difference in the community with Volunteer Hawaii, a virtual volunteer center provided by Aloha United Way. Volunteer Hawaii offers a variety of volunteer opportunities with local organizations statewide, matching your interests with a cause that’s close to your heart. Check out volunteerhawaii.org. And if your nonprofit need volunteers for a program or an upcoming event, register at volunteerhawaii.org. For more information, call AUW at 536-1951 or email info@auw.org.
