Assistance League of Hawaii Regular Membership Meeting

Wed., Sept. 13, 2023 • Oahu Veteran's Council and Center

1298 Kukila St, Honolulu, HI 96818 • Check in at 11:00 am

September 2023 Newsletter

Assistance League is reaching out to the people of Maui who are

recovering from the devastating fires that swept through

Lahaina and up-country Kula area. Details below.

Maui Fire Disaster Expands Our Focus

We enter September with new challenges and broken hearts for the people of Maui. Our Outreach program was created for just this sort of situation, an emergency that can be addressed by our organization. However, meeting the needs of the people of Maui will be a marathon, not a sprint. Surely all of our programs will be impacted. There will be ongoing and changing needs, as healing begins and recovery and rebuilding proceeds. We will be working with school officials on Maui to address the needs of displaced students and families. We will keep you posted about our efforts there as time goes along. 

We have set up a special account for donations intended for Maui Relief, and National Assistance League has notified members of all 120 Assistance League chapters across the country on how they can contribute to our Maui Relief efforts, by donating to us through RightGift. In typical Assistance League fashion, the response from AL members in numerous chapters has been overwhelming. This is a testament to the compassion and giving spirit of Assistance League members, wherever they are.

We hope to see many of you at our first Membership Meeting and Luncheon at the Oahu Veterans Center on Wednesday, September 13. (See the Hospitality article below for details.) We will be having a special Program Fair as part of this meeting. This will give all of you an opportunity to see exactly what each of our programs does in the community and to find out specific ways you can help. After all, our philanthropic programs are the reason for our existence.

Mahalo for all that you do.

Lunch Meeting Schedule

Announced for 2023-24

SEPTEMBER 13 MEETING

The September Meeting and lunch will be held on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at the Oahu Veteran Council and Center, (Ballard Hall) 1298 Kukila Street, Honolulu 96818. The Veterans Center has ample free parking.

We have a busy meeting, as our Program Chairs will be presenting a Program Fair for all in attendance.There will be a separate table set up for each program.

The schedule is as follows:

• Check in at 11:00
• Meeting is 11:30-12:45
• Lunch will be served at 12:45 

Lunch will be Buffet Style. The menu is Tossed Salad with Chef's Dressing, Breaded Fish with Tartar Sauce, Meat Jun with Sauce, Teriyaki Chicken, Potato Macaroni Salad, White Rice, Cupcakes for Dessert, Water and Ice Tea Drinks

.

Price is $25.00. Cash or Check please.

Reservations are to be made by email at althrift281@gmail.com Guests are welcome.

Deadline for reservations is Wednesday, September 6th. No phone calls please. You will be notified by email or phone to confirm your reservation.

UPCOMING MEETINGS:

The schedule for the remaining meetings/luncheons for 2023 - 2024 is as follows. All meetings are the 2nd Wednesday of the month and will begin at 11:30.

October 11th - Natsunoya Tea House, 1935 Makanani Drive, Honolulu 96817. Check in at 11:00, Meeting 11:30

November 8th - Old Spaghetti Factory, 1050 Ala Moana Blvd. (Aloha Tower), Honolulu 96814 - Meeting at 11:30

December 13th - Laurelyn Berger's Home, 94 Lumahai Street, (Hawaii Kai), Honolulu 96825 - Traditional Potluck.

January 10th - Buca di Beppo, 1030 Auahi Street, Bay 1 Honolulu 96814 - Meeting 11:30

February 14th - To be determined.

March 13th - Strategic Planning Evaluation Meetings - held at various Assistance League of Hawaii members' homes on Oahu. 

April 10th - Restaurant 604, 57 Memorial Drive, Honolulu 96818 (The Lanai) - Meeting 11:30

May 8th - To be determined.

Give Aloha Now Thru September 30

Assistance League Hawaii is excited to participate in Give Aloha, Foodland’s Annual Community Matching Gifts program! Our community has great needs this year, and we encourage all to participate and to share how Assistance League Hawaii addresses these needs, especially for Hawaii's keiki statewide.

Donate to Assistance League at Foodland during September, and Foodland will match a portion of your gift!

It's simple to donate. Here is how it works:

1. Go to any Foodland or Sack N Save store

2. Give the cashier our organization code #77759

3. Using your Maika'i Card, donate any amount (up to $249)

In October, Assistance League Hawaii will receive all donated funds, plus a matching gift from Foodland. How great is that?

Strategic Planning Update

Do you remember that windy day in March when we had meetings and lunches at members' homes? Your thoughtful responses have become the goals and strategies the committee has been working on to develop our Strategic Plan.

A one-year plan will be ready for immediate implementation, and the Five-Year Strategic Plan is being developed this year.

If you would like to join the Strategic Planning Committee, please contact Cathy Kissel (808-392-1213) or email cathykissel@gmail.com.

Above are some members of the Strategic Planning Committee, who have been working on your ideas in the creation of the 2024-29 Strategic Plan.

Philanthropic Programs

Kick Into High Gear

Come One, Come All - To The Philanthropic Programs Fair

All our philanthropic programs have been busy this summer providing a variety of donations and services in addition to getting ready for our upcoming Philanthropic Programs Fair that will be held at our first meeting on September 13th. 

This Fair will provide a wonderful opportunity for members and potential volunteers to learn more about each of our programs! You will get to walk around and see all the fun things our programs have put together to get you interested in volunteering for one or more programs. The emphasis will be on how much each program relies on and needs more volunteers, but it will also be a time to understand that each program offers many different ways to volunteer! Volunteering might be as easy as ordering items to donate online, helping to make deliveries, coming up with innovative ideas to share with others on various program committees, making phone calls, and so much more! Most volunteering opportunities can be tailored to your schedule, abilities, and your desire to help in some way.

Our programs and volunteering are what Assistance League of Hawaii is all about.

Here is a run-down on program activities that have been happening during the summer months.

Operation School Bell^® (OSB) is busy with T-shirt orders for the schools, Kokua Clothing Box deliveries and getting ready for our first in-store shopping event, since the COVID-19 lockdown, to be held on September 9th at Walmart Ke'eaumoku. 

Kokua Clothing Boxes - Thanks to all who volunteered to sort, pack and deliver clothing to 56 schools on Oahu, Maui and the Big Island. This year we were successful in getting clothing to schools during the first few weeks of the beginning of instruction. Anyone interested in helping to inventory and store the remaining clothes, please see Mary Monohon.

Operation School Bell In-Store on Saturday, September 9th. 150 students from three schools (Kaulawela, Kaewai and Fern) will head to Ke'eaumoku Walmart Store for $70 worth of school clothing per student. Yes, we are heading back to help students in person to select clothing. Many of you have expressed an interest in helping at the store. Please let Mary Monohon, Peggy Monell or Gerri Migita know if you are interested.

Literacy Services - During the summer months, there was little activity. However, volunteers at the Pu'uhale Library will be helping the students with book selections during the Pu'uhale Scholastic Book Giveaway during the 1st week of September. Library classes will begin on September 12th. Be sure to attend our table at the Philanthropic Programs Fair on September 13th - volunteers will be available to share information about the library/tutorial activities at the Regular Meeting.

Operation Wildlife (OWL) - The summer was spent updating the Operation Wildlife video, deleting certain parts that were no longer relevant and bringing in some new information. The video was done and ready to go before summer ended, so we are now in the process of scheduling the schools presentations all across the state! Assisting with scheduling the Oahu schools is Sheri Sunabe, who already had several schools on tap with requests for dates before school even started! Neighbor Island schools are starting off with a bang in Waimea, Hawaii. And, once again, Hawaiian Airlines is graciously supporting our efforts by allowing us to bring our OWL suitcases on our flights gratis!

An OWL orientation meeting was held at Pu’uhale School on August 30.

OUTREACH - Our Outreach Program, led by Miho Teipel, has already sprung into quick action this new school year. Various back-to-school items for students in great need such as notebooks, backpacks, pens and pencils and socks have been provided to Nanakuli Middle and High School as part of an emergency, one-and-done request from the school.

 If anyone has ideas for helping youngsters and our communities in urgent need, please contact Miho Teipel at alohabutterfly888@gmail.com or at (808) 342-9151.

SHARE - This summer the Share Program gave 96 bags of clothing, 16 bags of Toys and Games, 2 bags of School Supplies, 6 bags of Toiletries, 23 knives, and 50 pairs of glasses and 45 pairs of sunglasses to our non-profit recipients. These recipients are : 1) The Boys and Girls Club of Waianae 2) Family Programs of Hawaii

3) Kokua Kalihi Valley Family Programs

4) Helping Hands Hawaii 5) Lions Club International Chapter 50. We are also planning to donate books to Habitat for Humanity for their libraries. 

WE CARE - All six projects under the We Care umbrella have been very busy this summer meeting the needs of families and children:

1. Lullaby Layettes started the summer with Carol Jones delivering 60 layettes to Kapiolani Hospital on June 13. In August, Assistance League of Hawaii was asked by Kaiser Permanente if we could add their Moms & Newborns Program as a recipient of Lullaby Layettes. The Moms & Newborns Program is part of Kaiser Hospital Moanalua, but they are located at the Kaiser Mapunapuna clinic. On 8/24, Linda Tsark delivered 20 layettes to this program.
2. Malama Bears - Mary Monohon has continued to work this summer to secure an agreement with Emergency Management Services (EMS) to put Malama Bears in all Honolulu City and County ambulances. Unfortunately, securing an agreement with a government agency is never easy and always takes a very long time. In the meantime, on 8/4, 80 Malama Bears were delivered to Queen’s Hospital and 40 of those bears were sent to Queen’s West.
3. Keiki Kare is the new name of the project that was previously called Hale Kipa. The name was changed so We Care could support more agencies that serve foster children, at-risk youth and emergency shelters for children. Previously, We Care only provided services to Hale Kipa for children in their program that were aging out of foster care. Under this expansion, We Care added Family Programs Hawaii (FPH) as an agency that could receive Keiki Kare support. On 6/16, Linda Tsark delivered 4 bicycles, 6 athletic balls, hygiene items and pantry foods at a cost of $1,103 to the emergency shelter in Waianae operated by FPH. Hale Kipa, taking advantage of the expanded services, requested school supplies to support 12 youth enrolled in two of their at-risk youth programs. The requested school supplies were delivered to Hale Kipa on 8/24 at a cost of $484.
4. Shriners Hospital - Reiko Stiver has been busy this summer filling Shriners’ treasurer chest of gifts for young patients. On 7/11 she delivered 55 diffuser bracelets at a cost of $300 and on 7/21 she delivered an assortment of Plushies (small stuffed toys) at a cost of $297.
5. Domestic Violence Action Center- On 7/18, Linda McColgan delivered 60 rolls of toilet paper to the Domestic Violence Action Center. She also made a delivery on 8/21 of $250 worth of supplies to DVAC including hygiene items, toilet paper, laundry soap and dish soap. 

Youth Outreach - As part of YO’s ongoing efforts to reach out to homeless young people and connect them with resources, YO planned an End of Summer Party and asked Assistance League of Hawaii to purchase backpacks and school supplies that could be given to the participants. On 8/1, Assistance League of Hawaii delivered $950 worth of backpacks and school supplies. On 8/25, to meet ongoing regular needs, Assistance League of Hawaii delivered more backpacks, hydroflasks, underwear and hygiene items at a cost of $1,201. Check out a recent post from Waikiki Health on our Assistance League of Hawaii Facebook page.

Keep Us in the Loop

Please remember to keep marketing and communications in the loop with plans and pictures as your programs start up again this year! I already heard from Mary Monohon about Kokua clothing and deliveries and from Gloria McGehee-Koel regarding the upcoming Foodland’s Give Aloha campaign.

Photo releases are still required if you are shooting minors and members of the public. They are available in the Marketing File drawer or email us at the link below for a copy.

When you see a post on our Facebook or Instagram please share with others. In particular, the August 23 post regarding donations for Maui via Assistance League of Hawaii and Right Gift. National AL sent this out and already we have received quite a few donations from the mainland.

Updated business cards are available with a summary of our 2022-2023 Fiscal Year services delivered. Please keep some on hand to share with people you meet. Business Cards are available in the Marketing file drawer and at monthly luncheons. 

We worked over the summer with Fiona Manse on a new process to collect monthly service hours. After some trial, error and patience the simple form seems to work well for members. As you work with your committees you also might find a need for some technology to help you. If so, please email us at the link below.

If you have ideas for Marketing and Communications we are ready to hear from you at:

assistanceleaguehimarketing@gmail.com

Thrift Shop Success Continues

Even though many members were traveling, recuperating, or entertaining visiting family during the summer months, the Thrift Shop managed to have a banner June, July and August!!

We had several days of sales totaling over $2,500. This is due to the fact that many of our workers put in “extra hours” to cover those on vacation or ill. Thanks to all of you who stepped up to the plate when needed. On Saturday, August 19 we nearly reached a sales milestone of $4,000!!

On Thursday, August 10 we had an unexpected inspection from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you have wondered why we don’t sell certain items (baby furniture etc.) this is why. There are national rules covering flammable fabrics, some cosmetics, hazardous substances etc. 

Once a year thrift shops are inspected unannounced. We have to be aware of PHTHALATES (chemicals in plastic ware used in making toys and baby furniture). Our inspector came from San Francisco for this purpose and she complimented us on how clean our store is and how careful we are as to what we sell. Needless to say – WE PASSED!!!! She gave us the current Resellers Guide To Selling Safer Products.

We received around 15 yellow bins full of white dishes from someone going out of business. The initial reaction was – “oh dear – we will never sell all of this”. Much to our surprise most of it sold and it was a great donation!

Electric bill: We have been advised that our usage has increased to the point where we might go to the next rate level, which is more expensive. Being aware of this may make us be more cautious about our use of lights and air conditioning.

Changes in the Thrift Shop: Asian Corner is gone. “Bluetique” has a new arrangement. The former dressing room now holds OWL supplies. The OWL storage room now holds replacement clothes for the Kokua Boxes and Christmas trees.

COMING UP SOON:

HALLOWEEN – Wednesday October 31 - We have 6 or 7 bins full of Halloween items.

As usual, the 50 or so Christmas bins are overflowing and eager to emptied at our annual Christmas Work Party. It will be held on Saturday, Nov. 4 (after 3:00) and Sunday, Nov. 5. All of you are invited to attend this social/work/food event. There will be a pot luck lunch and treats, so put this date on your calendar now.

THANKSGIVING - Thursday, November 23: The Thrift Shop will be closed for that holiday.

Always remember that if you have any ideas or suggestions on how we can improve or changes we should make, please let Peggy Monell or Sharon Ehrhorn know.

September 2023 Thrift Shop Calendar

Fill in Your Service Hours

With Our New Form

Whether you work on one of our many programs, in the Thrift Shop or other at-home tasks, it is important to count your hours every month. Please use the new online form by clicking the link button below.

Your volunteer hours will be compiled to the monthly grand total for Assistance League of Hawaii.

STAY CONNECTED