Maui Nui Toy Drive Delivered 2,300 Christmas Gifts for Keiki In-Need

Maui United Way and Friends of the Children’s Justice Center with sponsorship from Pacific Media Group held their 2020 Holiday Toy Drive to benefit children in need on Maui.

This year brought some challenges with normal drop-off locations being closed to the public. This created worry among organizers that there would be a shortfall in toy donations.

Organizers report that ultimately the giving spirit was alive and well this holiday season, and those who could donate, “stepped up and gave with their hearts.”

“With the overwhelming support of the Maui community,” organizers report that they were able to reach their goal, filled 100 percent of requests and distributed more than  2,300 toys to keiki in need on Maui, Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi. All toys were distributed through Maui United Way’s non-profit partner agencies as well as the partners of Friends of the Children’s Justice Center.

“Special mahalo to our sponsor Pacific Media Group, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Maui, JW Cameron Center, Kaiser Permanente Lahaina Clinic, Seabury Hall, County of Maui and every donor and partner for your support in making this the most successful toy drive to date. It was very touching to see how many people chose to ‘do more good’ even in the toughest of times,” said Maui United Way’s President and CPO, Nicholas Winfrey. 

Makana Nunes, Community Impact Coordinator for Maui United Way said, “I want to especially thank a very generous elf who donated over 200 hours of her time to help with the sorting and distribution of the toys to our Partner Agencies. We really can’t thank her enough for all her hard work and dedication.”