HUGS Hosts Holiday Party for Seriously Ill Children of Maui

Darby Gill, founder and Executive Director of A Keiki’s Dream, partnered with HUGS to host the Maui party. Darby made balloon toys for the children.

By Maui Now Staff

The local non-profit organization, HUGS, partnered with fellow non-profit, A Keiki’s Dream over the weekend to host a holiday party for children facing seriously illness in Maui County.

Twenty families attended the party, held Saturday afternoon at the Cameron Center in Wailuku.

Prior to the event, several community groups joined in hosting toy drives to ensure that each child attending the party received a gift.

For more than 30 years, HUGS has been helping Hawaiʻi’s families with seriously ill children to improve their quality of life through programs that address the emotional, social, physical, and financial needs of each family member and the entire family.

On December 13, HUGS partnered with A Keiki’s Dream and the Maui community to throw a holiday party to remember at the Cameron Center in Wailuku. Courtesy photo.

HUGS relies on donations made by the community to provide services free of charge to families with a seriously ill child, ranging in age from birth to 21 years.

Community groups that contributed to the weekend event included: Hawaiian Airlines Flight Attendants and Pilots; United Parcel Service; PBR Hawaiʻi Associates, Ltd.; Drill Team Hawaiʻi; Holy Trinity Church; and Pacific Guardian Life.

Members of the Baldwin Honor Society were also on site to provide holiday cheer and volunteer support at the party.

The luncheon included presents and pictures with Santa, games for kids, and fun for the family.