Young philanthropists: Kohala children plan event to help kids in need

KOHALA — Later this month, Kohala children will learn how they can dream big and utilize positive leadership and teamwork while hosting their first Kidz For A Cause (KFAC) FUNraiser in their town Feb. 24 at the Kohala Village HUB.

“Being in this group of philanthropic kids who want to help other kids in need is ‘kid power,’” resident Teresa Marquez said, who is helping children ages 6 to 18 plan the event.

According to the KFAC website, Kidz For A Cause is a series of volunteer-driven events powered entirely by kids. They put on FUNraising events to help raise money for nonprofits that benefit children, and all aspects of each campaign are handled by kids. It also helps children develop leadership, teamwork and organizational skills and learn philanthropic values along the way.

In Hawaii, one of the KFAC benefactors is Ronald McDonald House.

“My thoughts exploded when I received and read my Ronald McDonald House Charities of Hawaii’s October newsletter. With the generous donation from Ekela Kahuanui and Lehua Ah Sam of Kohala Village Hub, the planning could come through to hold an event here,” Marquez said.

The KFAC FUNraiser will kick off at 10 a.m. with activities such as a hula clinic, slime making, horseback riding, baked goods, fidget spinning and tie-dye, to name a few. A finale will take place at 2 p.m. Admission is free, and monetary donations will be collected at each participating kid’s booth.

“We hope that all kids, with the support of their ohana, to have a blast of FUN while raising monies for a great cause such as the Ronald McDonald House,” Marquez said. “This will be the first of many more on the Big Island.”

Any children interested can participate in the event.

“The more volunteers and kids come together, the more FUN we all will have to raise monies for kids in need,” Marquez said. “There is no limit. Kids will get 20 to 40 certified community service hours from Ronald McDonald House Charities.”

Info: Visit kidzforacause.org, call Teresa Marquez at 217-7879 or email marquezteresa67@yahoo.com.