2023 Update
2023_2nd_quarter_update_newsletter.pdf | |
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2023_1st_quarter_update_newsletter.pdf | |
File Size: | 115 kb |
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2022 Update
2022 Update: Just some of the things we have continued to do to bless our island community.
The Big Island Giving Tree continued bringing fresh food bags to rural communities, focusing on Kupuna. Inflation has made it difficult for our Kupuna who are on fixed incomes. Food costs have gone up considerably while their income has stayed nearly the same. BIGT purchases fresh produce 90% being locally grown in the state. We assemble the bags and deliver them to Kupuna in the rural areas.
Our bi-monthly outreaches in Pahoa and Oceanview continue. We bring clean clothing, bedding, houseware and cleaning items for FREE.
Affordable housing has become harder to find. We are seeing yet again another increase in homelessness among the working families. With no shelter space available, families search tirelessly for affordable housing. We hope that Ohana zones will be available in the near future to allow families who have become houseless to at least be able to park safely overnight without getting any citations for illegal overnight parking.
We were also able to assist some who transitioned from homelessness to housing by purchasing items to make their new apartment/house feel like home.
Our little free pantries in Hawi and Kapaau are replenished whenever needed with non-perishable foods.
As Christmas gets closer, we are starting to gear up for our Christmas morning hot turkey meals. We deliver over 700 meals to Kupuna who live in 9 different Senior housing complexes from Honoka’a to Captain Cook, to the houseless community in Kona, and also to hospice patients and their caregivers from Honoka’a to Waikoloa.
All the Kupuna will also receive a blessing bag filled with non-perishable food and some basic necessities.
The Big Island Giving Tree continued bringing fresh food bags to rural communities, focusing on Kupuna. Inflation has made it difficult for our Kupuna who are on fixed incomes. Food costs have gone up considerably while their income has stayed nearly the same. BIGT purchases fresh produce 90% being locally grown in the state. We assemble the bags and deliver them to Kupuna in the rural areas.
Our bi-monthly outreaches in Pahoa and Oceanview continue. We bring clean clothing, bedding, houseware and cleaning items for FREE.
Affordable housing has become harder to find. We are seeing yet again another increase in homelessness among the working families. With no shelter space available, families search tirelessly for affordable housing. We hope that Ohana zones will be available in the near future to allow families who have become houseless to at least be able to park safely overnight without getting any citations for illegal overnight parking.
We were also able to assist some who transitioned from homelessness to housing by purchasing items to make their new apartment/house feel like home.
Our little free pantries in Hawi and Kapaau are replenished whenever needed with non-perishable foods.
As Christmas gets closer, we are starting to gear up for our Christmas morning hot turkey meals. We deliver over 700 meals to Kupuna who live in 9 different Senior housing complexes from Honoka’a to Captain Cook, to the houseless community in Kona, and also to hospice patients and their caregivers from Honoka’a to Waikoloa.
All the Kupuna will also receive a blessing bag filled with non-perishable food and some basic necessities.
Recap: Season 2019/2020
We usually raise funds through the Waimea Twilight Parade, as well as from donors in the community like yourself. With the parade being officially canceled, we need to find our much-needed support elsewhere. We will continue to provide a gift bag to almost 500 kupunas on Hawaii Island this holiday season. In their gift bag, they will receive nonperishable food and basic toiletries. Sometimes we are able to add comfy socks, hats, or blankets for our Waimea kupuna, to help keep them warm. We hope to add as many treats as possible this year since it’s been so challenging with kupuna being more shut-in than ever and likely have fewer visitors as well.
Although Sansei Waikoloa has been closed because of COVID-19, Chef Moke has committed to preparing our Christmas morning meal as they have done for the past 10 years. This year our turkeys will not be donated, we have ordered and purchased our turkeys, all of the ingredients and supplies needed to make this meal happen.
As expected all of what we do this season will look very different and our volunteer base will be at a minimum to keep within the guidelines as we want to make sure everyone is kept safe and healthy.
Checks can be made payable to Big Island Giving Tree and mailed to BIGT PO Box 2786 Kamuela, HI 96743 OR click here to donate online. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Wishing you and your Ohana a wonderful holiday season.
With warm aloha, Rhonda and Nancy
Although Sansei Waikoloa has been closed because of COVID-19, Chef Moke has committed to preparing our Christmas morning meal as they have done for the past 10 years. This year our turkeys will not be donated, we have ordered and purchased our turkeys, all of the ingredients and supplies needed to make this meal happen.
As expected all of what we do this season will look very different and our volunteer base will be at a minimum to keep within the guidelines as we want to make sure everyone is kept safe and healthy.
Checks can be made payable to Big Island Giving Tree and mailed to BIGT PO Box 2786 Kamuela, HI 96743 OR click here to donate online. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Wishing you and your Ohana a wonderful holiday season.
With warm aloha, Rhonda and Nancy
Recap: Fall Season 2016
October 12, 2016
Dear Friends and Donors of Big Island Giving Tree,
Thank you for being a part of the Big Island Giving Tree. As one of our busiest seasons of the year approaches we would like to send you an update of our upcoming events and some of our many accomplishments for 2016.
This year BIGT continued to deliver fresh fruits and vegetables to island wide Kupuna in 13 different elderly housing complexes. Many Kupuna are home bound with no transportation and are unable to purchase fresh food because of a limited income.
We were able to bless families with necessary furniture, household items, food and basic needs.
A family of 9 whose eldest son became paralyzed from the neck down during an accident was referred to us needing assistance with purchasing a van to transport their son and preparing their transitional home for comfortable living. BIGT, other companies and friends worked together to make this happen.
BIGT blessed 119 island wide students with school supplies that were requested by their school. Each student started their school year with all of the needed school supplies and a brand new back pack, most with brand new shoes and clothing.
BIGT partnered with other organizations each month to bless the families from the Island community on both the east and west side of the island with food, meals, clothing and basic need items.
We have made a commitment to involve the youth of our island with delivering goods, helping during our outreaches, and assisting the Kupuna. It teaches this generation how to love and care for others, to be generous givers, and help those in need.
We will be having our 2nd annual Free Community Thanksgiving Meal at Waimea School Cafeteria on November 24th from 11am-2pm with live entertainment. ALL are invited.
December 3rd will be our Waimea Twilight Christmas Parade from 5:30pm.- 7pm. The BIGT Bucket Brigade will take the parade route just before the parade starts to collect monetary donations to help our year round efforts.
December 4th Parker Ranch Center will host a Family Entertainment event from 11-3pm. to benefit the Big Island Giving Tree with emcee Penny Vredenburg.
Any questions, please call Rhonda Bell 808-880-1984 or Nancy Carr Smith 808-896-2239.
Mahalo Nui! Rhonda and Nancy
NOTE: Checks can be made payable to Big Island Giving Tree and mailed to BIGT @ PO Box 2786 Kamuela 96743. We are a non-profit 501c3 and will provide a receipt. Cash, check and gift card donations can also be left at Aloha Kohala Realty office in High Country Traders Building @ 65-1291 Kawaihae Rd. #101C.
Redeeming Light International, Inc. – A 501c3 organization – DBA The Big Island Giving Tree
Dear Friends and Donors of Big Island Giving Tree,
Thank you for being a part of the Big Island Giving Tree. As one of our busiest seasons of the year approaches we would like to send you an update of our upcoming events and some of our many accomplishments for 2016.
This year BIGT continued to deliver fresh fruits and vegetables to island wide Kupuna in 13 different elderly housing complexes. Many Kupuna are home bound with no transportation and are unable to purchase fresh food because of a limited income.
We were able to bless families with necessary furniture, household items, food and basic needs.
A family of 9 whose eldest son became paralyzed from the neck down during an accident was referred to us needing assistance with purchasing a van to transport their son and preparing their transitional home for comfortable living. BIGT, other companies and friends worked together to make this happen.
BIGT blessed 119 island wide students with school supplies that were requested by their school. Each student started their school year with all of the needed school supplies and a brand new back pack, most with brand new shoes and clothing.
BIGT partnered with other organizations each month to bless the families from the Island community on both the east and west side of the island with food, meals, clothing and basic need items.
We have made a commitment to involve the youth of our island with delivering goods, helping during our outreaches, and assisting the Kupuna. It teaches this generation how to love and care for others, to be generous givers, and help those in need.
We will be having our 2nd annual Free Community Thanksgiving Meal at Waimea School Cafeteria on November 24th from 11am-2pm with live entertainment. ALL are invited.
December 3rd will be our Waimea Twilight Christmas Parade from 5:30pm.- 7pm. The BIGT Bucket Brigade will take the parade route just before the parade starts to collect monetary donations to help our year round efforts.
December 4th Parker Ranch Center will host a Family Entertainment event from 11-3pm. to benefit the Big Island Giving Tree with emcee Penny Vredenburg.
Any questions, please call Rhonda Bell 808-880-1984 or Nancy Carr Smith 808-896-2239.
Mahalo Nui! Rhonda and Nancy
NOTE: Checks can be made payable to Big Island Giving Tree and mailed to BIGT @ PO Box 2786 Kamuela 96743. We are a non-profit 501c3 and will provide a receipt. Cash, check and gift card donations can also be left at Aloha Kohala Realty office in High Country Traders Building @ 65-1291 Kawaihae Rd. #101C.
Redeeming Light International, Inc. – A 501c3 organization – DBA The Big Island Giving Tree
Recap: Christmas Season 2015
Christmas Season 2015 was a huge success! Thank you to everyone who made this giving season one of our best ones yet. Because of all of your support, we were able to:
Because of your support, we can make the lives of so many in our community a little better.
- Serve over 500 hot turkey meals on Christmas. Thank you to Sansei’s for preparing our turkeys.
- Delivered food and a bag full of various items to Kupuna in nine senior housing complexes and those experiencing struggles in Kawaihae and Kona.
- Held our first annual Thanksgiving Feast in Waimea at Hawaiian Homes Hall and served over 200 meals. Thank you to local artists for filling the hall with beautiful music.
- But even though the Christmas Season is over, our work isn’t. We will continue to provide food, clothing and basic items of necessities for families living without a home and our Kupuna across the island.
Because of your support, we can make the lives of so many in our community a little better.
Volunteering - Honu Trialation Aid Station
August Blaze!
Food Distribution
Back To School Outreach
Past Events & Pictures of BIGT Outreach
Waimea Community Meal
The Waimea Community Meal served over 400 meals every Thursday with
BIGT delivered 150 meals to Kupuna and the houseless in Waimea and Kawaihae.
BIGT delivered 150 meals to Kupuna and the houseless in Waimea and Kawaihae.
The Waimea Community Meal has partnered with Hie Hie mobile shower service, they will come 2x a month for hot showers. The Vision Bus will also be at the Waimea Community Meal on August 8th to offer free vision screening for anyone.
Back To School
Back to School is in full swing. We have received many referrals from trusted agencies and community partners from around our island, these families who fall in the gap will receive the specific school supplies their children need to start the school year.
BIGT blessed 142 students from around the island this season with their specific needed school supplies.
BIGT blessed 142 students from around the island this season with their specific needed school supplies.
59th Annual Twilight Christmas Parade in Waimea
The theme this year is Our Community....... Our Kuleana at Christmas and Always.