Bobbie Slater recruited several Maui Divers Jewelry employees on Saturday, December 30, to throw a birthday party for six children with December birthdays living in the Kakaako “Next Step” homeless shelter.
These children include Ariana, 2; Yumi, 5; Rexlyn, 9; Nallen, 5; Tisa, 10; and Cedric, 14.
“Kids in Shelter Centered”
Mike Palcic and Julia Allen, owners of Mac Mouse Club, also attended the party to share with the more than 320 residents of the shelter, their tasty popcorn, popped on site with their old fashioned popcorn machine.
Tammy Kubo, owner of Hawaii Pet Nanny, has organized these birthday parties on the last Saturday of every month since the sheltered opened last May. Every child who celebrates a birthday in that month is honored at the party with a present and cake. All 100 children living in the shelter are invited to attend and participate by making crafts, enjoying other fun events and viewing a children’s movie.
In addition to bringing several enthusiastic volunteers and terrific ocean-themed arts and crafts to the December birthday party, Maui Divers donated $1,000 to the shelter, $700 of which went to the shelter store where residents can get at no charge any basic supplies they need.
“Maui Divers employees Centered”
Slater did her part by ensuring every one of the 100 children in Next Step received a hand-made goodie bag filled with school supplies, books, healthy snacks, bubbles and other surprises. The goodie bags, made of colorful Hawaiian material, were hand-sewn by Pat Wassel. Books were provided at wholesale prices by Best Press.
Maui Divers volunteers, who spent two hours at the shelter Saturday, said they enjoyed being with the kids who live there and giving back to the community.
“Shelter Centered”
Some of the other businesses that have hosted previous birthday parties or holiday parties at the Kakaako Shelter include Aloha Airlines, several businesses that are members of Small Business Hawaii, the University of Hawaii Medical School and ”’Hawaii Reporter”’. The Hawaii Law Enforcement Coalition sponsored the August party with the help of Ho’onani Day Spa (https://www.hoonanispa.com) which gave the kids free manicures; Keely Luke Photographie (https://www.keelyluke.com) whose photographers took pictures of the children and helped them make hand made frames and hand painted tee shirts; and Executive Women International, which personalized luggage tags for the children.
”’For more information on how to sponsor a birthday party at the shelter, contact Tammy Kubo at (808) 536-1239 or mailto:kubot002@hawaii.rr.com – See more about https://www.Keikibirthday.com”’