Family reunion at Star Light, Star Bright 2017. (HCH file photo)
Star Light, Star Bright! 2018
“Star Light, Star Bright,” the annual Christmas party the diocesan Office of Prison Ministry throws for women inmates at the Women’s Community Correctional Center in Kailua and their children, this year has added a new gift suggestion, perhaps an obvious one — a Christmas tree.
In addition to a traditional Christmas party, to be held this year on Dec. 8 on the prison grounds, the event includes gifts for the children, free airfare for neighbor island keiki, big gift baskets for caregivers and food gift certificates. This year the program is adding live Christmas trees to the list of things the children and their caretakers can take home.
Star Light, Star Bright was started 18 years ago by Deacon Walter Yoshimitsu and diocesan employee Paulette Vernay who saw, at Christmastime, inmates who were mothers, unseen and forgotten by their families, with children who had feelings of abandonment.
This year’s live tree was also the idea of Deacon Yoshimitsu, inspired in part by a brown paper Christmas tree, taped by a tutu to the living room wall of a housing project unit, under which some of the first Star Light, Star Bright presents were placed.
All Star Light, Star Bright items are donated and the Prison Ministry office is seeking donations now.
Here is the list of suggested donations:
- A child’s Christmas gift (Gift tags will be e-mailed or mailed to you)
- Monetary donation for airfare for Neighbor Island children
- Monetary donation to pay for the Christmas party
- A gift basket of non-perishable food and household necessities to a family (See box on this page.)
- $50 gift certificate from Foodland, Safeway or Zippy’s for a family Christmas dinner
- $50 for a family Christmas tree
Star Light, Star Bright also needs volunteers to deliver Christmas items to families who cannot come to the party.
Make checks payable to “Roman Catholic Church.” Mail checks and gift certificates to Star Light, Star Bright!, St. Stephen Diocesan Center, 6301 Pali Hwy., Kaneohe, HI 96744.
Online donations can be made at www.catholichawaii.org/starlight.
For more information, call 203-6722 or E-mail: pvernay@rcchawaii.org.
How to make care baskets for families
1. Use a sturdy laundry basket with durable handles and sides. (Rubbermaid or Sturdi-Lite laundry basket, two-bushel capacity)
2. Fill the basket with suggested items (see list). No expired goods, dented cans, torn or resealed boxes, over-the-counter medications or used household items. (“All the best … give to the Lord” —Numbers 18:12)
3. Do not make the basket too heavy for lifting and transporting.
4. Drop off baskets at St. Stephen Diocesan Center, 6301 Pali Highway, Kaneohe, Monday-Thursday, Nov. 26-29, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., or Saturday, Dec. 1, 9-10 a.m. Call Paulette Vernay at 203-6722 or email pvernay@rcchawaii.org ahead of time.
5. Schools making baskets may arrange for them to be picked up Nov. 28-30. Call or e-mail by Nov. 27.
Suggested basket contents
Canned goods
Tuna, salmon, corned beef, vienna sausage (4-6 cans), chicken, vegetables, fruits, chili, pork and beans, baked beans, soup, sauces
Boxed goods
Cereal, Pop Tarts, granola bars, breakfast bars, instant oatmeal, mac and cheese, Hamburger Helper, potatoes (instant mashed, scalloped, au gratin, etc.), Jello and pudding (ready serve or boxes), cake mix, cookie and brownie mix
Grains, noodles, other
Pasta (spaghetti, macaroni, other pastas), rice (no larger than 5 lb.), seasoned rices (Rice-a-Roni, Uncle Ben’s, etc.), saimin/ramen (6 packages), peanut butter, microwaveable popcorn, cookies, snack crackers
Personal toiletries
Bath soap (2-4 bars), shampoo/conditioner combo (1 bottle), toothpaste (1 tube), toothbrushes, dental floss, toilet paper (6 rolls), paper towels (1 roll), facial tissue (1 box)