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We have established Karen's Corner at the Thrift Ship in honor of member volunteer Karen McClelland, who passed away in October. Karen's daughter Elle and husband Jim McClelland were at the Thrift Shop for the unveiling. They are shown with Finance Chair Margie Van Swearingen.
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Assistance League of Hawaii - November 2020
Transforming Lives - Strengthening Community
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A Time When We Give Thanks
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Traditionally November is a time when we give thanks.
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Thanks to those wise women before us who purchased our building and set up our finances so we could pay off the mortgage. That payoff in February could not have been more timely.
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Despite COVID-19 turning our operation upside down, we are thankful that none of our members or their families have been infected. Our customers are a healthy bunch too. We have followed safe practices at the thrift store and despite our shorter hours of operation, have been able to add to our coffers.
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We are thankful for the planets lining up to bring our sweet Karen McClelland into our lives. She touched members and customers alike and will be sorely missed.
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Terrific donors have supported us when times are tough. Most recently Doris Hillhouse, Peggy Monell's friend, sent us a $5000 donation to Operation School Bell. We are so fortunate for this good will.
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And finally, we are thankful for our members who give of their time to make everything work! Despite current circumstances, our programs are impacting the community and Hawaii's children.
Mahalo nui loa!
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Resource Development
Carol Jones
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Closing Numbers on KWAK / Give Aloha
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KWAK / Give Aloha Program
Good news! Foodland's Give Aloha Annual Community Matching Gift Program has finished. Thank you for your support! Our total from contributions at Foodland was $2,780. Foodland's contribution to Assistance League was $658.24. An additional $1,497 was from members on the mainland. This brings our grand total for the KWAK (Kokua With Aloha Kala) fundraiser to $4935.24. Wow, this is great news!!!! Our final number is even greater than last year!
Pennies for Programs
Remember to keep a can, jar, or "umbrella" cover like I use to collect all your loose coins. Today, while doing our morning walk, I actually found a nickel on the ground and threw that into my little sack. Another way that I add to my Pennies for Program is to throw in the money we get when we recycle our cans. Yes, all that loose change really adds up! Remember you can drop your collection off at the Thrift Shop or if you need, call or text me at (760) 831-5012 or email me at cljones888@gmail.com, and I can come by and pick up your collection!
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Strategic Planning
Helen Taufa'asau
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You Own Our Strategic Plan!
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Everyone in Assistance League Hawaii owns our Strategic Plan! That is why we have our annual Evaluation Meetings - We take your suggestions seriously and whenever possible we incorporate your relevant ideas into our ever-evolving Action Plan.
During this pandemic, it is even more important to have a way for you to continue to give us your input regarding our programs, services, goals, and strategies. Although we have always had a suggestion box in the Ohana Room where you can put your suggestions, right now it may not be possible or convenient for you to communicate with us in this way.
A more realistic way for you to share your ideas, etc. would be for you to email directly to me via email! I will be sure your comments are considered, and/or directed to the correct Chair or Committee, for follow-up. If you indicate that you would like to keep it confidential, it will be handled that way.
Suggestions? Send them to: Helen Taufa'asau, Strategic Planning Chair coppertaufaasau@hotmail.com. Write "Suggestions" in the subject line.
I will get back to you with a response ASAP!
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We Care Committee Members Work on Packing and Distribution of Layettes & Malama Bears
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A Lullaby Layette packing workshop was held on Monday, October 26 at my home in Kailua. Attending were member volunteeers Pat Dixon, Peggy Monell, Vicki Fay, Helen Taufa'asau, and Ku'ulei Pai. Prior to the packing, we greatly appreciated the help of our new member, Sharon Dellinger, who pre-folded five bags of onesies on hangers.
240 Lullaby Layette's were packed and are ready for delivery in early November to the following hospitals: Castle, Kaiser Moanaloa, and Kapiolani for newborns and mothers. The layettes will be delivered to each hospital by the following member volunteers: Castle - Pat and Jane Winslow, Kaiser Moanalua - Johanna Leiato, and Kapiolani - Carol Jones. The items for the layettes were primarily purchased by Mary Kay Junk with help from Pat Dixon.
60 layette's from a prior workshop were delivered to Kapiolani in October by Carol Jones.
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In early November, Pat and Jane will deliver 40 of the remaining Malama Bears to Legacy of Life, 20 to Hospice Hawaii Pediatrics, and 40 to the main Honolulu Fire Station. The bears that were stored in Bert's Room were delivered to the following places: 20 to Kaiser Hospital Moanalua, 40 to Kapiolani Hospital by Carol Jones, 40 to Wahiawa General Hospital, 80 to Daniel K. Inouye Elementary School at Schofield by Joanna Leiato and 60 to Shriners Hospital by Helen Taufa'asau.
In addition there was a special delivery of one bear. Nancy Sparacino fielded an email from a woman who had seen the Malama Bears on our website and asked if she could have one for a friend who was critical in the ICU at Pali Momi. Johanna Leiato delivered a Malama Bear to the woman who called.
Pat Dixon has pending requests from Hale Kipa for several clients who will be aging out of Foster Care in November.
Helen Taufa'asau purchased and delivered kitchen items requested by Shriner's Hospital.
Mary Kay Junk purchased and delivered one-way bus passes, backpacks, and personal items to Youth Outreach.
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Students Love Their New T-shirts
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Operation School Bell has been getting quite a few orders coming in for T-shirts. Pope Elementary School did a new logo this year which was created by 2 students whose art was chosen for the shirt design. The students are really excited about getting their new T-shirts when they go back to school. Other schools will hopefully send pictures of their t-shirts when they also return.
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Sharing With River of Life and Helping Hands Hawaii
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Assistance League of Hawaii's Share program partners with several organizations on Oahu: River of Life, Helping Hands Hawaii and Lions Club. There is a written agreements between the organizations that confirm that items donated by Assistance League of Hawaii are re-donated, and not sold, to the recipients' "clients".
Our oldest relationship is with the federally-funded River of Life Rescue Mission in Chinatown. Since the early 1920's they have offered three meals a day Monday through Friday for their clients, showers twice a week for men and women (separately), and a clothing store for free items.
River of Life's primary clientele are homeless folks and mainly adult males with drug, alcohol, mental, or financial issues. The dinner event is presented with a religious sermon. During this current COVID-19 lockdown, they are only handing out meals from the "side door", no showers or clothing stores are open. They serve about 8,000 to 10,000 meals a week. All of their employees are federally funded.
Our newest member of the Share is Helping Hands Hawaii. It is a state-sponsored program also funded by the Weinberg Foundation. The employees are paid by the State of Hawaii and have vehicles for pick up and delivery. Qualifying families can come into their warehouse and pick up items to include, clothing, appliances, furniture, bedding, and anything else that is donated. The families receive these items at no cost. During the lockdown they have limited hours of operation, but are definitely a very worthwhile organization that fits our "mission" of helping children and families.
Items that do not qualify as "worthy" for these Share partners are donated to United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), who sell the items and is therefore not eligible for Share. UCP picks them up on Wednesdays, and takes most of our cast-offs.
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Make Way for the Christmas Holidays
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Our two-day-a-week sales at the shop have been very good, especially on Bid-Box Tuesdays. Several of our Italian paintings have found buyers due to the efforts of Ku'ulei Pai and her crew.
Thanks to all of you who so graciously signed up for the "Christmas Work Days". Nancy has sent a schedule to those who signed up. It also appears right under this column.
The 50% Off Storewide Sale on Saturday, October 31st was very successful and will continue on Tuesday, November 3. This will help to make room for our Christmas merchandise. We will cull remaining merchandise after the shop closes on Tuesday November 3. If anything is left that you have wanted to purchase, that will be the time to buy.
Our November hours will remain the same, Tuesdays and Saturdays 9:30 am to 1:00 pm. A decision will be made about December hours at a later date.
Please remind your friends and our customers that we are taking Thrift Shop donations on Saturdays only on a limited basis. Donors should be advised to bring their items before 10:30 am.
After several months, our vandalized front doors have been replaced. Everyone who had access to the Thrift Shop after-hours should have gotten a new key.
Thank you to all of our members and new Community Volunteers, who have so generously given their time to keep the shop operating. We are a "special village".
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November 2020 Thrift Shop Calendar
Downstairs Schedule * All Shifts 9:00 am to 1:15 pm
Regular Meeting on Wednesday, November 11, Starting at 10:30 AM
This is a virtual meeting using the ZOOM conferencing app.
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Your Monthly Service Hours
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Thank you for your diligence in submitting your service hours every month. It is very important for National Assistance League use and to demonstrate the good work that we do to our donors. Please send your hours to me at the end of every month so I can enter them onto the spreadsheet. Only the total is necessary. For those of you who worked during the summer and forgot to give them to me, please include those. Let me know if you need assistance in submitting the hours.
Thank you, Vicky Fay - Telephone (808) 282-0878. Your hours can also be sent by email to: vandwfay@mac.com |
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Support Assistance League of Hawaii, at no extra cost, when buy from Amazon.com. Click here to learn more!
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Newsletter Editor & Contact: Melvin Ah Ching
assistanceleaguehimarketing@gmail.com * 801-810-7135
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