PHILANTHROPY
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It’s All AboutYOU On the Wings Of Angels - Kaua‘i’s Teachers Get a Helping Hand
Sometimes it’s as easy as seeing a need and doing something about it. When Ric Cox saw Kaua‘i’s public school teachers struggling to outfit their classrooms with basic supplies, he summoned the Angels to lend a hand. The Aloha Angels Fund — an idea conceived by Cox and friends in partnership with HCF — started out simple enough: adopt a Kaua‘i
classroom for $700 and ensure the teacher has the supplies needed without having to dip into personal funds. It didn’t take long to see (left to right): Ron Margolis, Kapaa Rotary; Michael Carlsson, Poipu Rotary; Natalia Lagmay, Saltchuk Hawaii; Ric Cox, Aloha Angels; Michael Dexter-Smith, Hanalei Bay Rotary.
the results, and soon Cox and friends were asking Rotary Clubs, foundations, and businesses to adopt, not just a classroom, but an entire school. It worked. “Aloha Angels is a life-raft for Kaua‘i’s teachers and students, one that provides not just financial help, but emotional support and hope,” said Cox.
Today, donors to the Aloha Angels Fund have reached their firstyear goal of generating enough contributions to adopt every public elementary “Support from school on Kaua‘i. Together, they have the Aloha over $444,000, Angel Fund at raised including $160,000 HCF makes so 227 homeroom the difference teachers had what they between bare needed for the school bones and an year— everything from exceptional pencils to field trips to classroom.” microscopes. Kaua‘i teacher
> Did you know: HCF helps donors pool their gifts, like the Aloha Angels have done, to amplify the power of their giving around a common cause.
Learn how it’s about y ou at HawaiiCommunity F oundation.o r g
The Angels have now spread their wings farther to include funding to after-school mentorship programs across the island. “Parents say their keiki can’t wait to get to school now,” said Kilauea Elementary School Principal Sherry Gonsalves, “resulting in higher attendance and greater self confidence.” A job well done, — all because a few people saw a need and came together to respond.