Maui Economic Opportunity Lanai buses played the role of Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Day, delivering 10 bicycles and 200 gift bags to seniors.
MEO picked up the bicycles from the ferry and delivered them to King’s Chapel Lanai for storage about a week before Christmas Day. Freedom Ministries made the donation of bicycles with King’s Chapel coordinating the gift giveaway. An MEO bus driven by Saul Kahihikolo Jr. assisted King’s Chapel with deliveries.
Senior gift bags prepared by Kaunoa Senior Services were delivered by an MEO bus driven by Isaac Zablan. Kaunoa Senior Services staff and volunteers, including Bill and Becky Stoabs, Ami Atacador, and the Annie Zablan and Kageno ohana helped play Santa for the kupuna.
MEO’s Lanai Branch provides specialized transportation services for kupuna, youths, persons with disabilities and people needing rides to dialysis and health appointments, to their jobs, and to do their shopping. Lanai residents catch MEO buses and the ferry for shopping trips to West Maui once a week.
In addition to transportation services, the Lanai Branch administers most of MEO programs, including rental/mortgage and utility assistance, Core Four Business Planning course and entrepreneurial expertise and kupuna organization support.
For more information, call (808) 565-6665.
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Kysen Kanno appears with baby brother Reef Kanno after receiving a bicycle on Christmas Day. Freedom Ministries made the donation, which was coordinated by King’s Chapel Lanai. MEO assisted with deliveries.
MEO driver Isaac Zablan helped this group of volunteers deliver 200 gift bags to kupuna on Christmas Day. The bags were prepared by Kaunoa Senior Services.
