As of Thursday, the dollars were still being counted — and that’s a good thing. ADVERTISING As of Thursday, the dollars were still being counted — and that’s a good thing. Because roughly 50,000 Keiki Day newspapers were sold Wednesday
As of Thursday, the dollars were still being counted — and that’s a good thing.
Because roughly 50,000 Keiki Day newspapers were sold Wednesday across the state in support of Parents And Children Together, a Hawaii-based family service agency that assists more than 13,000 people annually.
With a suggested donation price of $1 per paper, the amount raised should be simple, right? $50,000?
Far from it. As expected, people dug deep in their pockets and ponied up a whole lot more than four quarters — more on quarters later — for the special edition of West Hawaii Today, Hawaii Tribune-Herald, The Garden Island on Kauai and Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
So all that counting takes a little time.
“On behalf of PACT and the families we serve a big mahalo to WHT the many volunteers and sponsors for your support of Keiki Day!” PACT’s Norma Spierings wrote to West Hawaii Today after WHT ran out of papers to sell during the fundraising drive.
West Hawaii Today staff members raised around $600 selling the single copies around town. And that’s in house. That’s not including what other volunteers across town brought in. But beside raising money for an important cause — PACT’s people-served figure is up from prior years — it was another great way to meet and mingle with the community. And by all accounts, it was well received.
People gave. People stopped to talk story. They even thanked us after they donated.
“I was surprised by how many subscribers and readers we ran into,” said West Hawaii Today page designer Andrea Jasper, who walked up and down Alii Drive with associate editor Chelsea Jensen offering copies and meeting people. “Many of them had already read the paper online, or had copies at home, but were still willing to throw in a buck or two.”
“Our West Hawaii community is supportive as always,” Chelsea added. “It was great to get out there and see how much our ohana cares!”
WHT’s advertising team took over the intersection of Kuakini Highway and Kaiwi Street. No motorist — or bicyclist for that matter — could get through the intersection without knowing what Keiki Day was all about. It was the second year the outer islands took part in the fundraising effort. Here in West Hawaii, PACT helps with the Head Start educational program.
“Lots a smiling faces and giving hearts,” is how account executive Hannah Rose described the response.
“Many people gave above the newspaper cost, just to support PACT!” account executive Karen Hand added.
“I hope this continues to grow,” summed up account executive Cheryl Abissi.
Now, in the name of transparency, WHT did include Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kirstin Kahaloa and local celebrity Sean Pagett, famously known as Peaman, in our in-house sales team. Peaman, who did the event last year and knows just about everyone, raised a big chunk of money at Kailua Pier. One of his first sales was $20 for a single copy, but one of his stranger ones was getting $10 in quarters.
The laundry-mat style donation did weigh the guy’s apron down a bit, but still, it was a good problem to have.
