A giant stocking hung on the wall, lights twinkled and a holiday feast with all the fixings excited diners Sunday inside the Hualalai Elderly Housing Complex community center.
A giant stocking hung on the wall, lights twinkled and a holiday feast with all the fixings excited diners Sunday inside the Hualalai Elderly Housing Complex community center.
For some attendees, this first-ever Celebrate Seniors Christmas Luncheon was a magical dose of merriment that help transformed an otherwise lonely holiday season. The event was organized by Auntie’s Angels, a domestic nonprofit striving to improve the lives of the seniors living at the Hualalai Elderly Housing Complex on Hualalai Road in Kailua-Kona. More than 100 low-income seniors and people with disabilities reside in the 96 units.
Jan Benlein, Auntie’s Angels founder, said loneliness can be an issue for seniors, especially during the holidays, regarded as family time. Some seniors have no relatives living nearby or strong community ties. But luckily, the ones at Hualalai Elderly Housing Complex have neighbors like Benlein who make great heralds of holiday cheer.
Benlein said she was determined Sunday to keep spirits bright in her community by bringing people together at a festive party, one that celebrated and appreciated seniors, as well as let them know they were not forgotten.
“What I hope they take away are the feelings of community, dignity, love and respect,” she said.
Helping her were local businesses and community volunteers, “elves with giant hearts,” who generously donated the food, gift certificates, presents, entertainment, services and time. Benlein said she got tremendous support from Jackie Rey’s Ohana Grill, KTA Super Stores, Safeway, Walmart, Costco, PanchoMan Kuanoni, Subway, Longs Drugs and Hawaii Affordable Properties Inc.
Diana Bree, a seven-year complex resident, described Benlein as “a very hardworking, warm-hearted person.” She thought it was wonderful that Benlein devoted so much time and energy in making seniors feel extra special. She also called the event “first class.”
For Laura Adam-Clarke, the holidays are all about “coming together, sharing love and enjoying good grinds.” This seven-year complex resident said the luncheon did just that. She also liked how the event gave residents an opportunity to meet their neighbors living in the complex’s different phases.
Benlein, who has lived in the complex for seven years, started Auntie’s Angels because she and others were struggling to get by. She knew of neighbors who didn’t have enough income to meet their basic needs, particularly when it comes to food. Determined to do something, Benlein started Auntie’s Angels roughly a year and half ago.
Eight months ago, Auntie’s Angels formed a relationship with the Keauhou Farmers’ Market to help get fresh fruits and vegetables to seniors. Every Saturday, the nonprofit picks up donated produce from vendors at the farmers’ market and distributes the food to complex residents. One vendor, Living Aquaponics in Captain Cook, has even decided to grow greens specifically for the seniors, Benlein said.
Another special relationship Auntie’s Angels has is with Solid Rock Ministries’ 1418 Youth Group. The group gathers from parishioners donated soups and other canned goods, which are distributed monthly at the complex.
Benlein hopes to form more relationships with other community groups and farmers to ensure seniors have a continuous bounty of nutritious food throughout the year. She also hopes to hold regular holiday gatherings for complex residents, as well as offer other outlets for the public to forge relationships with seniors in their community.
To get involved or for more information, call Benlein at 329-7897