The holiday season, the Jonathan Dale Miller Foundation’s kicked off its month of giving on the Big Island with a tremendous bash Dec. 11 in Miloli’i.
Jonathan Dale Miller was an incredibly special boy who developed a terminal illness when he was 9 years old. Before passing away a year later, he was asked if he had any wishes. He said: “I want to feed the hungry and give toys to children at Christmas that usually would not receive any.”
His selflessness led to the formation of the Jonathan Dale Miller Foundation in 1999, and their team of volunteers named Jonathan’s Helpers got this year’s festivities in Miloli’i off to be a big start — Hawaiian style.
From 10 a.m., preparations were underway beach side at the Miloli’i Pavilion, led by Auntie Sharon and Uncle George Handgis, co-founders of Jonathan’s Foundation and coordinator Auntie Carol Kahele. After a group prayer, families enjoyed a true Ohana-style feast featuring local favorites like lau lau, smoked turkey and rice, and a favorite must have: Auntie Carol Kahele’s famous mac salad!
All the families that participated received goodie bags and a ham for their holiday home celebrations, but the true highlight of the day was the joyful spirit and delight in the air when the kids took turns picking out multiple toys from Jonathan’s Christmas Tree of Goodies. Whether it was traditional toys, books, boogie boards or fishing rods – everyone, toys in tow, headed to Miloli’i beach before the party’s end.
The settlement at Miloliʻi in the South Kona remains the most traditional fishing village in Hawaii. Established as a settlement dating back to the early Polynesian seafarers from the South Pacific, Miloliʻi families have been fishing the offshore and nearshore waters for generations. The village has about 200 residents and about 50 single-family homes. The majority of the residents are of Hawaiian ancestry.
“This year, (Jonathan’s Helpers) wanted to reach more families outside of our own backyard. The Southern part of the Big Island always welcomes us with open arms. Because of their geographic location, which is removed from all the big box stores and grocery chains, we found it was important to bring Jonathan’s blessings to the keiki and ohana that embody the true spirit of Aloha outside the major locations we’ve served in years past,” Auntie Sharon Handgis said.
Next stop on the giving tour came Dec. 18 with a Drive through Christmas Party Event at the Old Na’alehu Shopping Center serving local families from the neighboring communities of Na’alehu, Ocean View and Pahala. With a personal welcome to every car by Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth and a warm reception by Jonathan’s helpers, approximately 500 kids and over 150 families went home with toys, gingerbread houses and holiday hams. At “Touched by An Angel: Christmas in Ka’u” in support of Hana Laulima Lahui O Ka’u, Jonathan’s aloha and love was made extra special by a special addition of toys donated by the employees and homeowner’s at Kukio and Coldwell Banker Island Properties.
Jonathan’s Helpers isn’t done just yet. Look out for their “Random Acts of Kindness” campaign appearances through the new year, which serves families in the island with holiday meal gift cards.
For more information about the Jonathan dale Miller Foundation, ways to give, and how to get involved visit, JonathansFoundation.org