WAIMEA — Dancers, singers and musicians ranging in age from five to 18 will put on a show of festive performances at Parker Ranch Center’s Fireside Food Court from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. this Sunday.
“The Joy of Giving” celebrates the season the Hawaiian way: a heart full of joyful generosity. Now in its fourth year, the event benefits The Big Island Giving Tree (BIGT).
“The majority of the groups who participate know about BIGT and want to give back,” said Rhonda Bell, BIGT’s co-coordinator. “Many participants had been a recipient at one time. When they come to perform, often they run up with big hugs asking me, ‘Aunty Rhonda, do you remember me?’”
The show will begin with Hawaii Preparatory Academy’s Handbell Choir, followed by Aha Opio Moku o Keawe, Honokaa Jazz Band, Taiko Drummers, the Parker School Choir and concluding with Kids Capoeira performing the Brazilian martial art. Among the groups, this will be first year for Parker School Choir, Honokaa Jazz Band and Kids Capoeira in the show.
About 200 people generally attend the event throughout the day.
“Parents are grateful for the opportunity given to their child to perform to give back to our island community, and for all that BIGT does for our island families,” Bell said.
Last year the event raised about $2,000.
“This year we are hoping to raise at least that,” Bell said. “We are so grateful for the Parker Ranch Center’s partnership with BIGT. Darcy Rutzen has been such a great help in making this a successful event. Proceeds help us to purchase food items for our kupuna food bags and to continue our islandwide outreaches year round.”
BIGT is a nonprofit group based in North Hawaii that provides support to Big Island kupuna and keiki. The organization accepts donations in the form of gift cards or monetary contributions.
Info: Call Rhonda Bell at 880-1984 or Nancy Carr Smith at 896-2239