A PUBLIC SERVICE MESSAGE
BIG PROMISE OF LITTLE THINGS CHANGE COMES FROM EVERYONE
When a family values education...
T
he year was 1842. The man was Dr. James Smith, and his mission was to bring Western medicine to Kaua‘i. As Dr. Smith and his new bride, Melicent, put down roots and started a family, they taught their children to always think of others. So began a family tradition that continues to this day. “Since I was a little girl, it was expected of us to give back to the community,” says Barbara Waterhouse McCord, Dr. Smith’s great-great-great granddaughter. “We delivered gift baskets to people’s homes, had charity golf tournaments, wrote a book — all monies went to scholarships for Kaua‘i students. We loved seeing the joy in people’s faces.” As her 11 cousins grew up and moved away, the family felt a strong need to stay connected to Kaua‘i, as well as continue their tradition of support for the community. Every other year since then, the 40-some members of the Watts/Waterhouse ‘ohana have returned to KŌloa. During the family gathering, they share ‘mahalo’ letters and success stories that resulted from the Marjorie Waterhouse
Watts Reading Enhancement Grant – KŌloa School Fund. Over the past two decades, these funds have given out more than $135K in college scholarships and toward enhancing reading education. “We feel very blessed and fortunate to be raised on Kaua‘i, and to be part of the island’s history,” says cousin Bob Watts Jr. “My mom loved kids, she loved reading. We value education. With the Hawai‘i Community Foundation’s help, we can perpetuate the memories of our loved ones and continue the spirit of helping others now and for future generations. These funds are our family’s little way of giving back for all that was given to us.”
Honoring your ancestors’ values, giving back to the community you love, keeping family traditions alive for generations to come — that’s the big promise of little things.
Did You Know...
In 2017, Hawai‘i Community Foundation awarded $1.54 million in grants to Kaua‘i organizations, including $333,820 in scholarships to 96 Kaua‘i students.
“We feel very blessed and fortunate to be raised on Kaua‘i, and to be part of the island’s history. These funds are our family’s little way of giving back for all that was given to us.” - BOB WATTS JR.
To learn how you can transform your generosity into lasting change, visit: HawaiiCommunityFoundation.org