“I want to give children toys at Christmas that usually don’t get anything, and give them food” was one of 9-year-old Jonathan Dale Miller’s final wishes after learning in 1998 that he had adrenoleukodystrophy, a rare and progressive illness. “I
“I want to give children toys at Christmas that usually don’t get anything, and give them food” was one of 9-year-old Jonathan Dale Miller’s final wishes after learning in 1998 that he had adrenoleukodystrophy, a rare and progressive illness.
It’s now been more than a decade since the youngster made that wish. The first-ever Jonathan Dale Miller Foundation Christmas Celebration was held in 1999 providing child-specific gifts to keiki and food to Big Island families in need. Though Miller, an Arizona boy who spent summers in Keauhou with his grandparents, lost his fight with adrenoleukodystrophy in February 2000 at age 10, the tradition carries on.
On Saturday, volunteers fondly known as Jonathan’s Helpers spent the day at Hawaii County’s Kahaluu Beach Park serving hot dogs, providing gifts and packing up additional food for the families to enjoy during their own Christmas feasts.
“He was a little boy who left all of us too soon,” said Trish Doyle, president of Manaolana Hope Inc., one of the event’s partners. “He was really a very old soul, and his love for others and what his grandparents carried on is something that we can all learn from.”
This year the foundation provided the full treatment to 300 people — including 137 children — in 50 families, said Keahi Robins, who is vice president and cultural adviser of Manaolana Hope Inc., which partnered with the foundation and George and Sharon Handgis, Miller’s grandparents, to put on this year’s event. Both Manaolana and the foundation are 501(c)(3) nonprofits, he added.
Robins said the collaboration came about to ensure Jonathan’s wish is carried on well into the future considering that the Handgises have put on the event for so long. The Handgises were unable to attend the event this year because of health issues.
“We are happy they are able to pass the torch on to us to help out with the Christmas Celebration,” Robins said.
The toys, gifts and foods were donated by various sources, Robins said, including students at Holualoa Elementary School and residents and employees of Kukio, who donated a flat-bed truck’s worth of goodies, among others.
“It’s been phenomenal,” Robins said about the generosity. “It’s amazing how many people want to help.”
Included in this year’s fun was a visit by Santa Claus, who arrived in a big yellow sleigh — actually a Hawaii Fire Department fire engine — to the delight and cheers of scores of keiki. He then spent the afternoon taking photos with families as they picked up their gifts, which included three gifts for each child, one family gift and one gift for mom and dad, Doyle said.
For Kona resident Nyna Kaawa, who brought five of her own children and two nephews, Jonathan’s Christmas Celebration is something special that brings joy to children in the community. Kaawa, who knew the Handgises, including Jonathan, is pleased the youngster’s selfless wish is being carried out more than a dozen years after he died.
“It’s nice to see that there’s still love out here,” she said. “I know the kids really appreciate it, which is what Jonathan wanted.”
For more information on the foundation, visit jonathansfoundation.org.
