Dr. Amelia Valdez (in the white blouse) of San Francisco, the founder of the Valdez Charitable Foundation, overlooks the distribution of donations for Lahaina’s Sacred Hearts School, temporarily located in Kapalua. (Photo courtesy of Ether Tokars)
By Esther Tokars
Special to the Herald
Dr. Amelia Valdez (in the white blouse) of San Francisco, the founder of the Valdez Charitable Foundation, extended her hands in outreach to the survivors of the Maui wildfires last month at two locations on the Valley Isle.
Backpacks, school supplies, eyeglasses, toys, stuffed animals, hair accessories, medical supplies, gift cards, personal hygiene items and accessories, crafts and, of course, lollipops were given to the students of Sacred Hearts School on Nov. 27. Sacred Hearts School has been educating West Maui keiki for 160 years.
Half of the school burned down in the Lahaina Aug. 8 wildfires, so the students now gather at Sacred Hearts Mission Church in Kapalua, about 10 miles north. During the distribution to the students, “thank yous” were heard when each received their gifts from the volunteers. They were very grateful.
Dr. Valdez’ second outreach location was the Lahaina Civic Center. Tables were set up by the Knights of Columbus for the foundation, which distributed the items. Medical consultations were also available at both locations.
Two volunteer doctors, two volunteer nurses and 14 additional volunteers from California, Maui and Oahu gave of their time and talent. Many thanks to the Valdez foundation and its volunteers, Missionaries of Faith Father Joseph Pathiyil of Sacred Hearts Church, Tonata Lolesia, principal of Sacred Hearts School, Patrick Guzman of the Knights of Columbus on Oahu, and the Knights of Columbus Maria Lanakila Council 15774 who made it all possible.
On her foundation website Dr. Valdez states, “When I turned 50, I realized that I was thoroughly blessed and decided then that I had enough in my life, and that I wanted to help people in need.” She lives the Gospel, as Jesus proclaimed: “To whom much is given, much will be required. (Luke 12:48)”