Ho‘ala School Collects Toys, Clothing And Books For Area Keiki

Ho'ala students, staff and Surfing the Nations members celebrate their com- bined effort to help area youths. Photo from Ho'ala School.

Ho’ala School has collected new and gently used shoes, clothes, toys and books for Surfing the Nations (STN), which provides after-school care for children, and surfing and life lessons for teens.

STN will use the items collected for the children it assists.

The students of Ho’ala presented the donations to STN director Cindy Bauer and volunteer Whitney Willett in December at a schoolwide assembly.

“We like to partner with different community members in Wahiawa, and since Surfing the Nations is a big part of the community to better Wahiawa, we thought it would be a good avenue,” explained Darlene Dela Cruz, the school’s marketing and operations manager.

Previous collaborations between the two helped find ways to strengthen and create a safer community. For example, students helped STN pass out food to the homeless in the area.

The private school focuses on service-learning components within its college-prep curriculum. “We are in constant contact with them,” added Dela Cruz, “and there will be other opportunities.

“Together we can certainly make a difference in our community.”