Soroptimist awards applications available
Soroptimist awards applications available
Soroptimist International of Kona, a volunteer organization dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls, is presenting four awards for the following programs:
c Women’s Opportunity Awards provides a $1,000 award to two deserving women who serve as the primary wage earners for their families and who improve their economic situations through additional education and training. Applicants must be currently enrolled in a vocational or undergraduate degree program. The award can be used for tuition, books, child care, car fare or any other education-related expense. There is potential to become eligible for additional awards up to $10,000 at the federation level. The application includes an essay and two references. To be eligible, an applicant must have a Social Security number, support at least one dependent, earn the most money in her household and have financial need based on annual living expenses. Applications must be received by Dec. 15.
c The Violet Richardson Award honors young women, ages 14 to 17, for volunteer action in their school or community. The finalist will be awarded $1,000, along with $250 to her volunteer organization and will be eligible for higher awards from the Soroptimist Foundation. The applicant must write a typed essay of up to 750 words that includes information about the goals of the organization where she volunteers, and the accomplishments she has achieved with the organization. Applications must be received by Dec. 2.
c Youth Citizenship Award is a $1,000 award available to both male and female high school junior or senior students who demonstrate outstanding citizenship through service, dependability, leadership and a clear sense of purpose. The application involves an essay of up to 750 words and one letter of reference. Applications must be received by Jan. 30.
All applications are available at sikona.org or by calling Sally Alapai, awards chairwoman, at 325-5196.
Drug Court featured
at Hui Laulima meeting
West Hawaii Hui Laulima meets from 10:30 a.m. to noon Friday at the West Hawaii Community Health Center community meeting room. Drug Court Coordinator Grayson Hashida will be the guest speaker.
The Hui is a consortium of West Hawaii’s major health and human service providers, faith-based groups, community associations, businesses, government and concerned individuals.
For more information, contact Linda Jeffrey at 327-4300, ext. 2432, or khparentcenter@yahoo.com.
Mama’s House relocates Friday
The thrift shop with a mission, Mama’s House will relocate Friday to Saffron, the former Daniel Thiebaut Restaurant site on Kawaihae Road. Mama’s House will open an Upcountry Chic Boutique in the front room and a Christmas Store in the flower shop space.
Saffron Restaurant will continue to host private functions, meetings and special events.
Mama’s House is the central component of The Pantry, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which also includes The Friday Night Crew youth coalition and Waimea Artists’ Guild. With a mission to “bring new life to goods and good people,” the store repurposes donated items, reducing the volume of near-capacity landfills and selling quality products at affordable prices.
Mama’s House offers compliance opportunities for those with mandated community service hours through Drug, Circuit, Family and Teen courts. It also provides on the job training and work opportunities in a safe and supportive environment for recipients of Temporary Assistance For Needy Families benefits, as required by the Department of Health and Human Services’ First to Work and Supporting Employment Empowerment Hawaii Work Programs.
Donated items continue to be accepted at the present Mama’s House next to Napa Auto. In addition, a moving fund campaign is in progress at gofundme.com/4q9rlg.
For more information, contact Beth Mehau at The Pantry, 887-2289 or 887-2287.
Seed exchange
slated for weekend
The 10th annual West Hawaii Seed Exchange will be held Friday through Sunday at the Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden in Captain Cook. This year, the garden’s traditional event also includes an Arbor Day celebration, tree giveaway, expert advice and a program for students.
The community seed exchange will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. Friday. West Hawaii home gardeners, students and their teachers saving seed in school gardens, and visiting gardeners are invited to bring saved propagation material — seed, roots, cuttings and huli (part of taro used for planting) — of food, medicine, flower or native plants that do well in home gardens and to share knowledge with the community. Those sharing seed are reminded to bring envelopes and a pen for the seed, and to identify the seed they bring with name, date collected and place grown.
The following activities are scheduled for all three days:
c 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Native trees will be given away (one per person), while each day’s supply lasts. Parking is available in the grass lot above the visitor center Friday and Sunday.
c 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Woodworkers will be crafting poi boards and other objects.
c 1 p.m.: Arbor Day guided tours of the garden will offer information on how to select, plant and care for trees. Regular garden admission will be charged for the tour, and participants will be offered a free tree at the end of the tour.
The student and teacher program will be held from 2:30 to 6 p.m. Friday. Students can choose to join a scavenger hunt in the gardens, prepare a seed mandala for the garden, help prepare dinner for students and teachers, or make origami seed packets. An optional garden tour will be offered at 1 p.m. Student groups are asked to reserve a space with Nancy Redfeather, program director of The Kohala Center’s Public Seed Initiative, by emailing nredfeather@kohalacenter.org or calling 322-2801.