Funds were raised through suggested donations for services offered at the event. There was a rummage sale, a silent auction, massages, hair cuts, food and information stations for the various charities. By Kimberly Huff ADVERTISING Special to Stephens Media The
By Kimberly Huff
Special to Stephens Media
The fifth annual Community Cares event was held Saturday at Kona International Market.
Live music was in full swing by 12:30 p.m., and volunteers bustled about tending to various stations. The goal was to raise money and awareness for Community Cares, a nonprofit organization that provides funds for various local charities.
Among local organizations represented at the fundraiser were Hope Services Hawaii, Kona Community Hospital and Speak Out Against Domestic Violence.
Gideon Ramos, Hope Services director of program development for its transitional housing program, greeted visitors as they walked through doors. The Hope Services table offered information about its homeless shelter.
“Our goal is to increase job skills as well as independent living skills,” Ramos said.
Blue shirts reading “Empowered Infinite Possibilities for Women” distinguished volunteers from Kona’s local domestic violence abuse shelter. Malai Kaulamu of Kailua-Kona was one of those volunteers. “It’s great to see so many people volunteer their time today,” she said.
Community Cares is the brainchild of Tiana Steinberg of Kailua-Kona. Steinberg, a former victim of domestic violence by her first husband, as well as a former cancer patient, explained the importance of a community caring: “The funds raised today will go into one big pot and be doled out to the various charities.”
Funds were raised through suggested donations for services offered at the event. There was a rummage sale, a silent auction, massages, hair cuts, food and information stations for the various charities.
