Maui, Hawaii, News
http://www.mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/513093.html?nav=15
KAHULUI – Fifty children got to eat breakfast and shop for Christmas presents in Kmart with members of Maui's finest in the "Shop with a Cop" event.
Thirty Maui police officers participated in the event, which is meant "to give children the opportunity to see that the police are friendly and here to help them," said Lauren Tanouye, event coordinator. "Many at-risk youth have the potential of meeting a police officer for the first time when the officers are taking away their parents or arresting them for some reason."
The youths were selected by Maui Family Support Services, which identified the 50 disadvantaged youths.
This was the fourth annual event, coordinated by the Kiwanis Club of South Maui.
The day began at 6 a.m. with a breakfast, presentation of a gift and a visit with Santa, all provided by Kmart and its employees. Then with the assistance of Maui police officers, the youths went shopping, using $100 gift cards—$60 of which came from assorted donors and $40 from Kmart.
"We wish to acknowledge Kmart, Akimeka, Kiwanis Club of Kahului, Memory of Maui, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Maui Prince Hotel, and the members of the South Maui Kiwanis Club for their generous donations that made this event a positive and memorable one for the participating youth," said Tanouye.
The Kiwanis Club of South Maui is involved with projects to help children and inspire families.
For more information on the Kiwanis Club of South Maui, visit www.southmauikiwanis.com or call Tanouye at 879-1720.
The South Maui Kiwanis meets at 7:30 a.m. Wednesdays at Stella Blues Cafe.
Posted
Jan 05 2009, 01:40 PM
by
Chris Hayworth