If you ever have a chance to swing by there warehouse and office, you will see how busy Lokahi is at this time of the year trying to process 1000s of request before Christmas. It just gives you chicken skin just seeing how many people are in need of help.
How this works is anyone or group can adopt a family. You just go to there site and fill out the form to become a donor to adopt a family.
http://www.lokahigivingproject.org/ they provide you with a story of the family and there request. Many of these families don't ask for much. So don’t think that you’ll have to spend a ton on money to adopt a family. Most times families just want food and small gift for there child or children.
Here is the first of the 2 families that we adopted. We won 250.00 so we will split it in two to help both families. We will be giving them gift cards and a meal for Christmas. If you have anything listed please let us know.
Janice is a 54yo Female Used clothing or Saver Gift Certificate
Margaret is a 32yo Female DVD Movie or Walmart Gift Card
Orian is a 13yo Male Used Video Game or Game Stop GIft Card
Both Janice and Margaret were in a major car accident in June of this year that has drastically changed their lives. They were rear ended while sitting at a traffic light with enough force that there car was shoved into the car in front of them. Janice sustained multiple injuries including spinal trauma and, while undergoing physical therapy, has been unable to work. Prior to the accident, Margaret was working full time and able to keep up with family expenses. The family now relies upon Janice's Social Security and Margaret’s TDI and is just barely able to cover cost of thee rent and bill, which include medical bills related to the accident. Janice is also concerned that her TDI will end next month as her doctor has indicated she will be able to preform part time work but not full time. The employer she has her TDI though is willing to accept her back but only if she is able to work full time.
Janice and Margaret stated that they are not concerned about receiving Christmas Gifts this year but worry that Orian will have to go without the rent and bills are not paid on time. When Janice and Margret were asked what they wanted on there wish list, they could not come up with anything and asked if only Orion could be the recipient. Despite facing hardships that could be blamed on others, janice and Margret are focusing on tasks and goals they can pursue to maintain there housing and provide for Orian.
The Second Family is a very sad story and Lokahi was having a hard time getting this family adopted. As you can see below there wishing for some large items but will be happy with food. If anyone has an old bed or a wheelchair please let us know. If we can’t provide them with the larger items we will give them gift certificates to purchase food.
Rimo is a 18yo Male Twin Sized Bed or Food
Trueman is a 10yo Male Twin Sized Bed or Food
Yusta is 62yo Female Food
Aikawa is a 66yo Male Wheel Chair or Food
This is a story of two elderly disabled Chuukese couple/grandparents (Mr.& Mrs.E) who cared by two grandsons Rimos :age 18 and Truman :age10.Grandparents are the legal guardians for both boys and also helped raise them from toddlers.
Mr. and Mrs. have been clients with Palama Settlement since April 5th of 2005. Both are in wheel chairs and it’s a big challenge for them to get around. A therapist comes to the home to administer physical exercise and massage daily. Their households income is based on government assistance and social security from the Federated State of Micronesia once a month which is not enough to help them sustain financial sufficient.
The focus of this store is the two grandsons who give up allot of there play time unselfishly to accommodate and care for there grandparents. Truman is a 5th grader at Likelike elementary school and during the week after-school not only myself but co workers would notice him from our office by the road pushing his grandparents to either to go shopping or to other places for businesses appointments. Rimos just graduated this year from Palama Settlement Alternative School in Partnership with Family Court. He’s been faced with a lot of at-risked due to a variety of demographic, socioeconomic and mainly cultural trends behaviors. The 2 boys sleep on the floor, when asked what would there wish lists, Rimo replied, “twin beds for me and my little brother and something to organize our cloths”. Life is all about little things, and kids need to learn the little things they or don’t have an impact on other peoples lives. As we are awaiting the birth of our messiah, I’m hoping that these boys wishes come true and continue to learn from our Kupuuna’s or Grandparents.