Local Businesses Partner to
Support Maui's Youth
Ledcor Maui’s second annual Makana no nā Keiki (Gifts for Children) raised $105,000 for Maui’s youth with the support of numerous community partners and local businesses.
Funds raised were used to purchase gift cards for over 100 keiki to go shopping at Queen Ka’ahumanu Center on December 5th, 2024. The balance of the funds went to three local non-profits who work with and support many children in our community – Maui Youth & Family Services (MYFS), Boys & Girls Clubs of Maui (BGCM), and the Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of Maui.
The success of this year’s fundraiser is thanks to numerous local businesses, local organization ʻĀina Momona, Wailea residents and partners who do work on Maui.
Ledcor Maui’s Eric Gerlach gave a big mahalo to all the participants in this program, and especially to those partners who donated more than $2,500 each (in alphabetical order): ‘Āina Momona, Armstrong Builders LLC, Cades Schutte, Chun Kerr LLP, Church & Stein ʻOhana, Dorwin D. Leis Co. Inc., Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Hagstrom & Greckol ʻOhana, Honua Consulting, P.B. Sullivan Construction Inc., Polaris Pacific, Sky Shades Hawai‘i, Title Guaranty Hawai‘i, and Weinstein A+U.
Throughout the event, everyone enjoyed a treat of Grown on Maui extra-sweet chilled pineapple chunks provided by Maui Gold Pineapple Company. Then the keiki, teens and young adults were off to shop for presents at Na Koa, Tanoa and Shapers—the program’s clothing brand partners and all locally owned shops at QKC specializing in new clothes and essentials by local brands.
“Hope can change a lot of things,” said Cindy Forsgren, owner of Tanoa Hawai‘i. “This program shows our keiki that we treasure them and are here to support their dreams.”
“Our young people will always remember today’s amazing experience that Ledcor and the many supporting partners have given them,” said Kelly Maluo-Pearson, Chief Executive Officer, Boys & Girls Clubs of Maui. “This experience provides life lessons at many levels: having gratitude for people who care, sharing this day of shopping and buying gifts for their loved ones, learning how to budget and basic math skills, and just saying thank you! Thank you to Ledcor and the supporting partners for being a part of our village because it really takes a village!”
Kim Ball, owner of Hi-Tech Surf Sports and Shapers at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center, said his team was also glad to be part of the program. “We are a Maui-owned business, and we have always felt a responsibility to support our youth in various platforms,” Ball said. “The Ledcor Cares program fits right into our DNA, as the youth of Maui like the kind of product that we have in our stores.”
Ledcor Maui’s Makana no nā Keiki annual fundraiser is a Ledcor Cares initiative, through the dedication and effort of Ledcor employees and partners. Over the past 10 years, Ledcor Cares has contributed $24 million to more than 200 charities nationwide, with a focus on children’s mental health, access to education, and community support.
“All of us at Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center are happy to support organizations and initiatives such as the Makana no nā Keiki program,” said Kauwela Bisquera, general manager of QKC. “Located here in the center of town, we hope we can always be the heartbeat of the community, especially during the festive holiday season.”
When shopping this holiday season, please consider supporting local and small businesses on Maui!