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Holy Family Early Learning Center Kicks Off 25th Anniversary Celebration

September 4, 2020

116 TOWELS TO BE DONATED TO THE HAWAIIAN HUMANE SOCIETY

Holy Family Early Learning Center (ELC) is celebrating its 25th Anniversary with fundraisers, community outreach and festivities planned throughout the school year.  Back in 1995, Father Maurice McNeely saw the need and had the vision to create an Early Learning Center at Holy Family Catholic Academy (established in 1956).  Today, 25 years later, the ELC continues to dedicate its focus on the personal growth of each child by teaching Catholic doctrine, building community, and providing service to others.  To commemorate their 25th Anniversary, the ELC's staff and administration have organized monthly activities and service projects to benefit the greater community while teaching their students about the school’s mission, “Making God’s Goodness Known, Educating for Life” --Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.

The Early Learning Center kicked off the year with a Pet Shelter Towel Donation Drive for the month of August, organized by ELC Director, Mr. Allen Akiona.  The hope was to have the ELC's three classes collect 25 donated towels each, for a goal of 75 towels.  Mr. Akiona was thrilled to announce that the ELC surpassed its goal and collected a total of 116 new & used bath & beach towels for their Pet Shelter Towel Donation Drive. The towels will be donated to the Hawaiian Humane Society, and will bless their animals with bedding, clean up, and lots of aloha.  When asked  "How do you think the animals will feel when they receive the towels?" ELC student Aliyah replied, "The animals will feel happy!" and  ELC student Colette replied, "The animals will be warm when they use our towels."  When ELC student, Logan, was asked, "What do you think the towels are going to be used for?" he replied, "It's to wash the doggies!".  ELC Director, Mr. Akiona, stated, "I am very touched by the outpouring of support which we received from our school community.  The faculty and staff can always count on our students and their families when we ask for their kokua.  The animals and caregivers at the Hawaiian Humane Society will definitely feel our aloha when they use the towels."

Looking forward, Holy Family Early Learning Center's 25th Anniversary event for the month of September will feature a fundraiser involving what else...Quarters!  Ms. Mary-Anne McMillin, lead teacher for the ELC's 'Lambs' class, is working with her students to coordinate a quarter donation drive.  Their goal is to raise $225 by September 25th.  Everyone in the school community has been invited to participate--faculty, staff, students and families of Holy Family Catholic Academy and Early Learning Center.  All quarters collected will be donated to HUGS Hawaii, a local non-profit organization, whose mission is to strengthen Hawaii's families and improve their quality of life as they face the emotional and financial hardships of caring for a seriously ill child.

To commemorate its 25th Anniversary, Holy Family Early Learning Center is welcoming monetary donations from interested donors to support their special projects and enrichment activities including playground improvements, Hawaiiana curriculum and their school garden.  Those interested in donating may contact ELC Director, Mr. Allen Akiona, at (808) 421-1265 or via email at aakiona@hfcahawaii.org.

Holy Family Catholic Academy and Early Learning Center is a co-ed, parochial, private school for students in preschool through 8th grade, located near the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.  This school year, Holy Family Catholic Academy (K-8) is offering two learning options:  an In-Person, On-Campus Program and a Virtual Learning Program.  Holy Family Catholic Academy offers both Before and After-School Care Programs starting at 6:00am and ending at 5:30pm each school day.  Holy Family Catholic Academy and Early Learning Center accepts applications and enrolls new students year-round, based on space availability.  K-8 tuition ranges from $8,045 - $8,945 per year.  Early Learning Center tuition ranges from $9,270 - $9,990 per year.  For information regarding Holy Family Early Learning Center, contact ELC Director Mr. Allen Akiona, Jr. at (808) 421-1265 or via email at aakiona@hfchawaii.org.  For more information on Holy Family Catholic Academy (K-8), visit their website at www.hfcahawaii.org or contact their main office at (808) 423-9611.