SAINT JOHN’S HUI O LAULIMA UPDATE
August - December 2009

Another Mahalo Nui Loa (Thank You Very Much) to all Parishioners for your continued support to our Hui Laulima Molokai and Parish Outreach Projects during this very busy period of activity. 

Our primary efforts focused on preparing for the Christmas effort on Molokai

October 31, 2009.  Your Hui assisted at the Saint John’s Religious Education Program’s Fall Fest.  We conducted an orchid sale and silent auction with all funds provided to the Religious Education Program.

November 13-14, 2009.  Three members of Saint John’s Hui attended the Parish Social Ministry Leadership University at the Saint Stephen Diocesan Center.

November 20, 2009.  After receiving a call for assistance from the Diocesan Office of Social Ministry (OSM) for food for the 200 people at the Barber’s Point Transition Center, your Hui took 25 boxes of food from our pantry to the shelter.  The people at the shelter, both families and singles, are experiencing a transition from life on the beach to life back in the community and their food pantry was nearly depleted.

December 5, 2009.  We received 1500 new Saint Damien Prayer Cards from the printer.  These cards will be distributed to the Parish Prayer Groups and also to our parishioners by way of the Sunday Bulletin in January 2010.

December 6, 2009.  Bill Castro presented a class on Saint Damien and the services provided by the Hui O Laulima Ministry to the 7th Grade class of the Saint John’s Religious Education Program.

December 7-13, 2009.  Your Hui purchased 18 boxes of “diapers” for children 0-3 years of age for the Christmas Toyland on Molokai ($201.04).  We packed all the toys, diapers and other items to be sent to Molokai into boxes.  We wrote 5 Christmas cards and included $100 in each for the neediest of the Molokai families ($500).  We rented a U-Haul to take all the Christmas presents to the dock at Young Brothers ($97.67). 

December 14, 2009.  We loaded all the items for Molokai into a G-Van and shipped them to Molokai ($143.29).  The van was stuffed from front to rear and top to bottom. 

December 17, 2009.  Luis Campo and I accompanied Iwie Tamashiro of OSM to Molokai.  After a quick breakfast, our first stop was at the Molokai Drug store to purchase $15 gift cards for the 60 teenagers on our Christmas list ($900).  We then met with the assistance team from Molokai at the Koalapu Recreation Center.  We prepared the center to look like a Christmas Toyland. We had a gift/toy area, a wrapping area, and a station to provide school supplies.  There was also an area on the other side of the building for children to play games.

December 18, 2009.  Forty-three volunteers showed up to assist Santa in Toyland.  This was a magical day for us.  Both Luis and I experienced many emotional highs as parents of 92 families (208) children entered the “Toyland” and “shopped” for the toys they wanted for their children.  After they picked the gifts and had them wrapped, the parents proceeded into another area where they received school supplies for their children.  The school supplies were donated by OSM and shipped in our container.  Their final surprise was a five pound canned ham provided by Saint Damien Catholic Parish.  By this time most of the parents and volunteers shared many tears of joy and hugs. Many of the parents told us that if not for our support, their Christmas would have been very sad.

Upcoming Events

1. Your Hui will conduct a clothing drive in March 2010.

2. The Hui will prepare for its annual “Thrift Shop/Garage Sale beginning in April 2010.

3. The Food Trolley will continue to be placed outside the Church at the first weekend Masses of each month.  This food will support our ongoing pledge to Molokai and also support our own Parish outreach efforts.

Because of your continued and generous support, we are able to continue
 St. Damien’s work to assist the poor and the needy.
Glory and Praise to God!