Wailea Association Launches Keiki Kalikimaka Toy Drive

Wailea Fire Station Toy Drive. Courtesy photo.

By Maui Now Staff

The Wailea Community Association launched its Keiki Kalikimaka Toy Drive for Maui kids and families in need this week.

The public is invited to bring in new, unwrapped toys, to the Wailea Fire Station and the Wailea Community Association office at the Hotel Wailea today through Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014.

The toy drive is being conducted in partnership with the Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of Maui.

Organizers say toys collected will be gathered and distributed to more than 25 different Human Services agencies in Maui County, including Maui Family Support Services, Child and Family Services, Women Helping Women Maui, Child Welfare Services, and Mālama Family Recovery.

“Our annual Keiki Kalikimaka Toy Drive has been extremely successful over the past 11 years, thanks to the generosity of the residents and guests of Wailea Resort,” said Bud Pikrone, General Manager for the Wailea Community Association in an organization press release announcement.

Now in it’s 12th year, Pikrone said the association would be expanding the reach of the annual drive to the growing number of families in need.  

Last year, the group provided 1,612 kids with Christmas gifts.

Paul Tonnessen, Executive Director of Friends of the Children’s Justice Center also commented saying, “While we are always very happy to get any gift that someone wants to give for children of any age, the newborn to 2 year old age group tends to be the ones that are in need this year.”

Tonnessen said gift cards of $20 or less are also well received by teenagers.

Pikrone also noted that monetary donations are greatly appreciated, and will allow the organization to purchase educational toys in addition to those collected at the Wailea Fire Station.  Checks can be made payable to the Wailea Community Association, with a memo to indicate “Keiki Kalikimaka Toy Drive” on checks.