Shoebox Drive Keeps Growing In Kaneohe

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Kaneohe financial consultant John Au is amazed by the young heroes who emerge each year to make his company’s Shoebox for the Homeless drive a success.

“This year, we were very blessed by the students of Kaneohe who contributed a record 1,436 shoeboxes,” said Au, vice president of Chinen and Arinaga Financial Group. Au has coordinated the drive for five years.

“We were also blessed by Jadine Yonemitsu and her 5Rs volunteers who partnered with us to distribute the shoe-boxes to 10 homeless advocacy groups on the Windward side.”

Students from all 10 Castle Complex schools filled empty shoeboxes with toiletries, clothes, food and more for their needy neighbors, in cooperation with Yonemitsu of Kaneohe Community Family Center.

Chinen and Arinaga awarded $500 to tiny Waiahole Elementary School, which had 211 percent participation, $200 to Kapunahala for 98 percent, and $100 to Puohala, where 72 percent of the students donated to the drive.

“As our economy continues to struggle and unemployment remains high, it’s very uplifting to see the generosity of our Kaneohe community increase each year,“Au added.