NORTH HAWAII — “We go out prior to Thanksgiving and find people who most need a meal,” said Corps Sergeant Major Gary Todd, an eight-year veteran soldier with the Salvation Army of Hawaii, who — along with a squadron of 60-plus volunteers — delivers nearly 700 Thanksgiving dinners to grateful tables in Waimea, Waikoloa and Honokaa.
This special ministry reaches out personally to shut-ins, the elderly, houseless, carless and others in need.
“That day, each of our three locations go to resorts on the coast, and each resort provides high-quality pans of potatoes, dressing, turkey and pies for more than 100 people.”
Volunteers then assemble and box individual dinners in clamshells and delivery people are handed a list. In about two and a half hours the job is done, freeing up the afternoon for family time.
“Delivery is the most exciting because you can see the faces of the people who need a meal and who can get it on Thanksgiving. It’s very rewarding,” Todd said.
So rewarding, in fact, that many volunteers return from years past.
On Thanksgiving Day, three volunteer groups work in partnership with Kohala Coast resorts to coordinate the feast: Waikoloa Community Church with the Waikoloa Beach Marriott and the Hilton Waikoloa Village; Imiola Church with The Fairmont Orchid and Mauna Lani Bay Hotel &Bungalows; and Honokaa Salvation Army with Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel and Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.
But Thanksgiving is just the beginning.
“While planning this, we are getting the Angel Tree program going, and getting ready for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign,” Todd said. “Some people only know the Salvation Army for the red kettles and thrift store, but it’s so much more.”
The iconic annual fundraiser, with its bell ringers in red aprons and holiday spirits, will start this Friday and continue through Dec. 23 in five North Hawaii locations: KTA and Ace Hardware in Waimea, Malama Market in Honokaa, KTA Waikoloa and Takata Market in Hawi.
“Last year, in five locations, 26 participating churches and organizations brought in altogether $47,750 in four weeks,” said Todd. “All money raised in North Hawaii stays in North Hawaii.”
These funds support the Salvation Army’s work to provide shelter, food, guidance and other needs in times of natural disaster and personal crises, such as domestic violence.
In addition, the Angel Tree program makes it easy for people to “adopt” a child, and give a personalized gift during the holidays. As with Thanksgiving meals, Todd and his team do the legwork in advance.
“We find the people who could use a gift for a child,” he said. “We do this at two locations predominantly: Kokua Ministries at Imiola Church — where they have a food pantry and prepared meals on Wednesday — and the Salvation Army food pantry in Honokaa. People fill out a form with the child’s name, age, clothing size and the kind of gift that would be most appreciated.”
Completed Angel Tree cards are displayed at the First Hawaiian Bank in Waimea, Waikoloa and Honokaa, where customers can select a child, take a card and bring it back fulfilled by December 15. Gifts are distributed from the Honokaa Salvation Army on Dec. 21. Last year, Angel Tree gifts were presented to over 300 keiki from toddlers to age 12.
Some Angel Tree cards are available at other locations as well.
“Starbucks takes some, Hawaiian Style Cafe takes some and Mauna Kea Resort,” Todd said. “Their employees asked human resources if they could help, so we post Angel Tree cards around their time clocks.”
What motivates this level of commitment to others?
“The love of Jesus,” Todd said. “He said ‘feed the poor.’ We have widows, orphans, single moms, people down on their luck. The satisfaction you get from doing it outweighs any amount of effort.”
Todd was recently appointed ministry leader of the Honokaa Corps and North Hawaii Ministries, overseeing the Honokaa Ohana Thrift Store, food pantry, Thanksgiving Day Meal distribution, Angel Tree Gift program and the Red Kettle Campaign.
Volunteers, or anyone interested in helping during the season of giving is encouraged to call 333-1248, or email garywmtodd@gmail.com.