‘Heroes and Helpers’ bring holiday joy to keiki in need

Catholic Charities Hawai‘i, Hilo Target, various first responder agencies and other partners came together to bring gifts and holiday joy to teens and young children in need during the fourth annual “Heroes and Helpers” event Saturday morning in Hilo.

A total of 50 youth primarily from the Hilo area participated.

This year’s special event brought much needed merriment during the holidays to the keiki while fostering positive relationships between the youth, officers, other first responders and partners who shopped with them throughout the morning, finding their perfect holiday gifts.

The children were partnered with members of the Hawai‘i Police Department, Hawai‘i Fire Department, Hawai‘i Air National Guard, Hawai‘i Army National Guard, Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources and other agencies.

Each youth was given a $125 Target gift card — made possible through donations from Catholic Charities Hawai‘i, Target Corp. and several other donors — to purchase whatever they wanted. Community volunteers also wrapped the items selected by the children:

Heroes:

• Hawai‘i Police Department.
• Hawai‘i Fire Department.
• Hawai‘i Air National Guard.
• Hawai‘i Army National Guard.
• Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources.
• Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
• State Sheriffs Office in Hilo.
• Hawai‘i County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney.

Helpers/Volunteers:

• Target Stores.
• Catholic Charities Hawai‘i.
• Hawaiian Electric.
• Starbucks.
• Hawai‘i Police Department.
• Hawai‘i County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney.
• Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources.
• Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.
• Hawai‘i Community College associate degree in nursing 2025 cohort.
• Big Island Medical Reserve Corps.

Donors:

• Target Stores.
• Catholic Charities Hawai‘i
• State of Hawai‘i Organization of Police Officers.
• Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3875 of Hilo.
• Punalu‘u Bakery.
• Starbucks.
• JeiAngel Digital Design.

Catholic Charities Hawai‘i — a nonprofit serving Hawai‘i since 1947 — offers assistance to people in need regardless of faith and culture, providing services through more than 30 programs statewide.

The organization is a partner agency of Aloha United Way and member of the nationwide Catholic Charities USA. For more information, visit the Catholic Charities Hawai‘i website.