HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0381.001 2020-2022 i
I
COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF HAWAN
To Our Hawaii County Council Members, 2011 1
These past 18 months have brought to light many challenges facing our Country, our State, our
Community, our families, our keiki and so many individuals.
Last year the State of Hawaii experienced one of the greatest economic hardships in its
existence with unemployment rates at an all-time high and many families and individuals
suffered economically, mentally, and emotionally. Small communities within our islands that rely
heavily on tourism were hit hard. On the Big Island of Hawai'i, small communities such as North
Kohala were among those hit hard, as were so many others.
Fortunately, in this small determined community with so many families and members with
generous hearts and strong spirits, the people and keiki of North Kohala had risen up and
proven to be resilient in so many ways.
The project, Kohala Ohana Support and Wellness Initiative, was organized in the fall of 2020
amidst the global pandemic. The goal and mission is to support local families by providing
school supplies, PPE products, and resources for mental and emotional support. Through the
kindness of so many generous donors and collaboration with other organizations, the project
was able to provide over 730 students grades K-12 with all of the requested School Supplies
from each school complex.Additionally, with the support of Hamakua Health Center and
Partners in Development, programs, resources and information was made available to keiki and
families that focused on mental and emotional health in such a tumultuous time.
We are reaching out once again for help and support to achieve this honorable cause for the
2021-2022 School Year. This current school year, administrators expressed the need for aid and
support to provide the needed school supplies for students in each respective course. Thus far,
the project has provided over$1,500 in school supplies for over 500 students enrolled in Kohala
High School and Kohala Middle School. There are several more items that the administrators
have asked for support in obtaining primarily for students at Kohala Middle School s outlined in
the proposal. With the help from the County, the project would be well-equipped to not only
provide the requested supplies for the Middle School, but would be able to have additional funds
to obtain PPE products to help support the schools throughout the year.
Your time, attention and consideration is greatly appreciated.
Mahalo,
Denni Keyes
Project Coordinator
Kohala Ohana Support and Wellness Initiative
Comm. o. ®
Ref. To:
Ref. tate SEP 2 e2021
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