HCAP WEEKLY December 28, 2020

Adopt-A-Family Brings Christmas Cheer to Hā Initiative Ohanas Affected by the Pandemic
Central District Service Center Thanks Marine Toys for Tots Foundation
See’s Candies Donates Chocolate Treats to HCAP
Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center Receives Hawaiian Host Chocolates!
HCAP Head Start Keiki Get Crafty for Christmas!
Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou from the Honolulu Community Action Program, Inc.


Adopt-A-Family Brings Christmas Cheer to Hā Initiative Ohanas Affected by the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the lives of many families, forcing them to decide between basic necessities and being able to celebrate the holidays as they normally would. That’s why programs like Adopt-A-Family, which provide holiday gifts to families in need, are even more important this year in making Christmas a reality for families and their children. Here are a few of our HCAP families who were recipients of this year’s Adopt-A-Family program.

Sandra and Micah were so excited to receive gifts for their children through the Adopt-A-Family Program. Their daughter, Mikayla is with the Hā Initiative: Creative STEM After-School Program

“We are so tremendously grateful and blessed beyond words.” Sandra shared. “I can’t express the emotions my family and I are feeling at this time, but we would like to thank you so much for pouring out your love upon us. You just turned this pandemic into a big blessing for my family and we hope you will be blessed abundantly.”

Guidong recently lost his job working at a hotel in Waikiki in the beginning of the pandemic. Since then, his family of five has been primarily supported by his wife’s part-time job. They are very grateful for the gifts they received and for their ohana.

Shental recently separated from her long-term partner and has been supporting five members of her household. The separation has taken a financial toll on Shental and she has been struggling with distance learning with her children. Despite these challenges, Shental is moving forward and is currently working on getting an apprenticeship to provide for her children as a single parent. Shental had this heart-felt message to share with HCAP staff and their Adopt-A-Family donor. “Thank you for making my kid’s Christmas a reality during these hard times. Thank you for your compassion and I hope that you will continue to donate to others!”

Ronson has a family of five and was his household’s primary breadwinner. When Ronson got into a work related accident a few years ago, it had a big impact on his health and he is now constantly fatigued. Ronson and his family are currently living with their relatives and are very appreciative for the Adopt-A-Family gifts they received! The family is continuing to search for a permanent place to live and is working on safely getting Ronson back to the workforce.

The Rain family was referred to the Adopt-A-Family Program through HCAP’s STEM Program Specialist/Teacher Nicole. The family’s father recently lost his job at a rental car company during COVID-19  and the family has been struggling to make ends meet. But things got a little brighter when they were matched with an Adopt-A-Family donor and were able to open presents this Christmas! The Rain family hopes to move forward together and work towards a brighter future in 2021.

Cyrena, a single mother of two children, recently lost her job working for T Galleria in Waikiki. She was receiving unemployment but saw that she would struggle to provide gifts for her children this Christmas, so she requested the assistance from Adopt-A-Family to provide gifts for the whole family. Cyrena received gifts for both her children and also applied for gifts from Marine Toys for Tots!

Love-Lee has been attending HCAP’s Lincoln STEM Exploration Center for almost 2 years. She is an avid participant of the program and currently attends middle school.

Kyle has been attending HCAP’s Kalihi STEM Exploration Center for almost a year and enjoys drawing and using Photoshop to enhance his drawings!

Hannah has been attending HCAP’s Kalihi STEM Exploration Center for a few years now. She is in middle school and is excited to receive her Adopt-A-Family gifts!

Gabriel has attended HCAP’s Kalihi STEM Exploration Center since he was in the 2nd grade. He is now in 5th grade and likes to play stimulating puzzle games with us virtually. His favorite math game is Prodigy!


Central District Service Center Thanks Marine Toys for Tots Foundation

HCAP’s Central District Service Center has participated in the Toys for Tots Program for over 30 years and has served countless children through this program.  This year’s Toys for Tots project was an extra special time to give. With so many families not knowing how they would celebrate the holidays with the pandemic, many found it in their hearts to give to this special program that has been helping underprivileged children since 1947. 

Toys for Tots began as the brainchild of Marine Corps Reserve Major Bill Hendricks and  his wife, Diane. Then, in 1948 , the United States Marine Corps adopted Toys for Tots, and expanded it into a nationwide community action project as the U. S. Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots Program.  Marines at each Reserve Center throughout the nation conduct toy collection and distribution campaigns in the communities surrounding the center. 

Since its origins, Toys for Tots has gone international and has impacted millions of children each year. In 2020, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation continues its mission to collect new, unwrapped toys and distribute them to less fortunate children at Christmas this year despite the coronavirus pandemic. Before the coronavirus pandemic, Marine Toys for Tots typically collects and distributes approximately 18 million toys to 7 million children each holiday season. This year’s toy drive may look different this year due to the pandemic, but despite these challenges the marines continued the Toys for Tots campaign. Countless families across the country are isolated at home, many without jobs and income. Toys, books and games can help to combat boredom, relieve anxiety in children, facilitate a return to normalcy, and even contribute to the educational development of children. In these unprecedented times, the Marines are always able to adapt and get the mission accomplished. That’s what Toys for Tots did this year.  

Central District Service Center would like to thank the Toys for Tots program for bringing so much joy and support to families with children around the world, including our little island in the pacific!


See’s Candies Donates Chocolate Treats to HCAP 

HCAP would like to thank See’s Candies for its generous donation of chocolate boxes to our HCAP staff! This was a delicious treat for the holiday season that was enjoyed and appreciated by all! Kind gestures such as this remind us of the compassion and generosity of the holiday season! 


Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center Receives Hawaiian Host Chocolates!

A big MAHALO to Margie Jacinto of Hawaiian Host for delivering Hawaiian Host chocolates to HCAP’s Kumuhonua Transitional Living Center. The chocolates were delicious and added a little sweetness to Kumuhonua’s holiday season! We would also like to extend our gratitude to the Kapolei Chamber of Commerce for assisting with the delivery of these treats to homeless shelters in Kapolei. This was such a treat for our residents and staff, especially during these times of uncertainty. Mahalo again to Hawaiian Host and Kapolei Chamber of Commerce for putting a smile on the faces of our Kumuhonua residents and staff!


HCAP Head Start Keiki Get Crafty for Christmas!

COVID-19 didn’t stop our HCAP Head Start keiki from getting crafty for Christmas! Here are some of the awesome crafts our keiki and families created to celebrate the holiday season!

Shiloh from HCAP Head Start Pohakea I used creativity to construct his colorful paper Christmas Tree. He developed his fine motor skills through tracing, cutting and gluing, while also learning math concepts such as shapes and the numbers. Shiloh practiced his numbers by decorating his tree with seven ornament shapes. What a beautiful tree Shiloh!

Kahiau applied his knowledge of shapes and numbers as he created two different snowmen! He used his literacy and numerical skills by drawing six dots for the snowman’s mouth and six more for the buttons. For his second snowman, he used six paper links to create the snowman’s body. Kahiau extended his learning by also writing the number six on his cutout leaf and then adding it to the learning tree that he created out of construction paper! Great job Kahiau!

Kealohi from Ka Pua I and her dad created a snowman together using a ziplock bag and some cotton balls. Kealohi used creativity and materials from home to build a snowman that won’t melt away!


Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou from the Honolulu Community Action Program, Inc.

HCAP would like to wish you and your ohana a wonderful New Years! This year was certainly unlike any other. It was filled with challenges and uncertainties for our world, state and communities. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned this year it is that we are all connected to one another and it takes a community working together to face unprecedented challenges. As an agency, we will remain committed to serving our community in the face of this pandemic and providing opportunities and inspiration in the upcoming year! Here’s to 2021!