GABRIELLE ALO

My experience with 'Ohana100 has been nothing but gratifying from the get-go. 

Everyone involved has been so uplifting ...the Mattson Ohana, the other volunteers, the kids, and the teachers.  I'm from the east coast, where my family still lives, and while being far away from them is difficult, I've been lucky enough to meet these inspiring people through 'Ohana100.  

Other than the occasional story to nieces and nephews and a random oral presentation class in college, I had no experience with public speaking at all.  What a joyful experience this has been so far!  The children's reactions to the content are priceless, from the gasps, squealing laughter, and everything in between. A couple of favorites on rotation that most kids can't get enough of are "Dear Zoo" by Rod Campbell, & "This Book is Full of Monsters" by Guido Van Genechten.

So many memorable moments to speak of   ...at a book distribution event, hearing the kids talk about trading books with each other after they finish the one they have   ...when I come in & kids pounce to choose which book they want read first that day  ...a little girl approaching me after a reading to tell me that she wants to read to her little sister   ...and most recently a group shared a couple of song and dance numbers with me before I left for the day  :)

So many memorable moments to speak of   ...at a book distribution event, hearing the kids talk about trading books with each other after they finish the one they have   ...when I come in & kids pounce to choose which book they want read first that day  ...a little girl approaching me after a reading to tell me that she wants to read to her little sister   ...and most recently a group shared a couple of song and dance numbers with me before I left for the day  :)

I joined ‘Ohana100 hoping to make a difference, and share something of what I enjoyed as a child.  A couple of my favorite books to this day are children’s books, “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!”, by Dr. Seuss, and “The Giving Tree”, by Shel Silverstein, which still makes me emotional.  These days I've been keeping it light, reading autobiographies by comediennes.

I have a full time job, enjoy hanging out and eating with friends, and watching movies in my spare time, but I always try to make time to volunteer for 'Ohana100, among other great organizations.  I highly recommend finding an organization that speaks to your heart, and sign up to volunteer.  As much as you share of yourself, you'll be happily surprised by all that you get from the experience. 

Oftentimes I wonder if I’ve made as much of an impact with the children I’ve met thru this program, as they have affected me.  In the end, I decide that as long as I’ve shared a positive experience with them, even with just one book, we leave each other happy that day.

Gabby Alo

KEVIN FINES

I am Kevin Fines, 28 year-old head nurse of operating/delivery room of a hospital here in the Philippines. When I entered college to take up nursing, I was very fond of reading numerous books related to nursing field such as medical, pharmacology, anatomy and physiology and books pertaining to diseases. As far as I can remember, I like to read science related books when I was young especially biology and astronomy.  I have completed reading the Narnia series when I was in elementary.  

With my books in nursing and medicine, I love to make others aware about things related to health and explain to them in a language that they can understand.   Just last year, I was given the opportunity to be with an American medical mission group. The group was consisted of several filipino and other asian nurses, American EMT's and a doctor. This group conducted a 5 day medical mission here in the Philippines that provided free consultation, lab exam and free medicines. I can still vividly remember, numerous faces of hope and joy that someone from other country was there to provide them free medical assistance.

BANGLAYAN:  Yesterday was tiring but so fulfilling. One of the best days.  At 8:30 am yesterday, we went to Banglayan Elementary.  The school is approximately 20 to 30 minutes from the town center and can be travelled by riding either any vehicle but the challenge is the roads that are too narrow that smaller vehicles are used. The place is mountainous that it has uphills and downhills. The school is located on top of a small mountain, so you can just imagine how high the school is. Now the challenge for some students is to walk to school at 5am because their house is located on top of another mountain or located across the river that they have to cross such river everyday. 

The kids were amazing. They behaved well during the distribution and they were so eager to look what is inside the books. In fact, when were going home some ran after us then hugged us. They were very grateful. My mom and Kenneth accompanied me to that school. I was touched by how the kids reacted, they were really amazing. Thanks to Ohana 100!

A drawing was made by a kindergartner.  It was special how he wrote his name backwards.

Ohana 100 is tiring yet satisfying and fulfilling. Faces of hundreds of kids painted with smiles and excitement is priceless.

What I love most about Ohana 100 is on how I am able to inspire the kids by reading them books, relating and sharing my own story with them.

"Making A Difference, Making It Count and Making Things Happen!"

VOLUNTEERS IN ACTION is a special page to recognize Ohana100 Ambassadors who are making a difference in our communities. 

REMEMBERING PA AKAKA

 

Ohana100’s first volunteer was our grandfather Daniel Akaka, or "Pa" as we called him. He was with our program since 2014 and at 93, he was our oldest volunteer until his passing on April 6th, 2018. 

A TRIBUTE TO U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka

Fondest memories. . . 

While distributing books to students at Kaimiloa and Puuhale Elementary, he began greeting each child by their name.  We wondered how he knew that, and realized that each student wore a name tag and he would say their name while handing each of them a book.  

Pa Akaka was always excited about going out to the schools and promoting the importance of reading.  He loved to say "GO! READ" because its so simple to say and so simple to do.   He did just that at Pauoa Elementary.

He always asked how you were doing. "Ehhhh, How you doin' and how's the kids?"

Pa Akaka always believed in the importance of an education. He was a former teacher and administrator at several public schools, and a band and choir instructor at Kamehameha Schools on the the island of Oahu.   

A special treat for him was to return to a school he opened in the early 1960's to distribute books. He was its first Principal and gave it it's name "Pohakea" which in Hawaiian means to bring forth light, or enlightenment. A fitting name for a school. We've held annual book giving events there since 2014, and he was there for every one of them.

He also proudly dedicated his life to service. He served in the military during World War II, with his church, and for Hawaii in the U.S. House of Representatives and in the U.S. Senate.  This service continued for him into retirement when he joined Ohana100 at the age of 89.

We are lucky to have shared wonderful memories with Pa Akaka.  We love you always and miss you!

Kaneohe Elementary School Dedication

Mural Unveiling

SANDY FRITZ

 

I grew up in Tonawanda, New York and raised my own family there as well. I have two children and three grandchildren ages 14, 9 and 8.   Prior to becoming a volunteer with Ohana 100, I spent many, many hours reading to my grandchildren and browsing bookshelves with them in libraries and bookstores.  I truly see the value in reading to young children. 

It's been rewarding to see my teenage granddaughter turn into a bookworm.  I also make time in my own life for reading and sharing good books with my daughter.

My other passion is crocheting.  Recently I made red hats for Little Hats Big Hearts, a project for the Children's Heart Foundation.  I was able to make hats for children at the Family Help Center.

After I retired from Sysco in 2014, I was searching for something rewarding to do with my time.  I discovered Ohana 100 at the Clarence Senior Center on the bulletin board and I immediately called Liz.  It is such a good feeling watching the faces of the children during a reading and getting hugs of gratitude afterwards.  Thank you Liz! 

ROSE LEONG

Aloha!  My students call me "Aunty Rose" and I am a happy volunteer for Ohana 100, a group that reads to children at some of our schools in Hawaii. This is my second year volunteering with Ohana 100 and I continue to enjoy reading to these youngsters, especially my Headstart classes. I have been impressed by the work of the teachers and their assistants as they prepare the children for future success in school.  A huge MAHALO for a job well done!

I graduated from the University of Hawaii and also attended graduate school at UCLA.  I have been with the Department of Education for my entire career.  My first assignment was at Ewa Beach Elementary school for two years.  In those early days, we lived on campus in the teachers cottage.  It was a great experience as we teachers had wonderful times together. We strolled or biked around the neighborhood and even walked to Puuloa Beach Park for a swim or better yet, we picked "ogo"--seaweed which was pickled and then taken home on weekends. I then transferred a bit closer to home and taught at the Kaneohe Marine Base--Mokapu Elementary School for a year.  My next assignment was a "town" school, Lincoln Elementary and there I remained until my retirement.  After teaching for over 25 years, I retired from the State.  I have been fortunate to  have worked with wonderful teachers and be guided by wise administrators.   I have two daughters; they did not follow my career choice in education but chose to become engineers!  Both live away, one in New York and the other in California with their families.   I have 5 grandchildren and am thrilled to have a new addition of a great granddaughter.

With my family away, I am fortunate to have time to do some volunteer work. I enjoy helping to promote literacy by reading to children. It has brought me much joy to be greeted so warmly by the children and being able to interact with classes just by sharing stories with them.  With the use of computers and other electronic devices, I believe our youngsters need to be introduced to books which help them use their imagination and make learning  fun. 

FRENCHIE COFFINET-SMITH

Bonjour! My name is Lorraine Coffinet-Smith and I have been a volunteer with Ohana100 since June 2017. I am so glad to have found this organization, as they are nothing like any other. The name summarizes it all: Ohana. I feel like I joined a family rather than a volunteer organization. I am so blessed to have found Liz and now being able to say that I read to children all around the islands.

I am a graduate from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and I am planning to apply to medical school to eventually become a pediatrician or surgeon. I thought that getting more experience with children would be a great idea and it sure is. I read to four different schools/programs and I love all of them.

One of my favorite moments is when I arrive in the classroom because when the children see me they become so excited and want to see what stories I brought for the day. And when I leave, it’s even more touching; they all want to come hug me at the same time but my arms are not big enough so I hug them.

Ohana100 gives hundreds of books to children at the end of the year and I can’t wait to play Santa Claus this year and witness their excitement and happiness when I bring the books.

I am also a private pilot.  Its a hobby I enjoy.  When Liz asked me if I wanted to go to Molokai and Maui to deliver some books and read there, I said yes right away. How could I say no to combining two great passions of mine.  Another volunteer joined me on this journey.  We flew to Maui in my tiny plane and spent the day with children. So many wonderful people welcomed us over there, read to a few classes in two schools and we got to give books. It was one of the best experiences I’ve had since I joined Ohana100 and I am looking forward to so many more.

Merci Liz for all you do, for the opportunity you give us to make children dream about reading.