by Alma Tassi
Every holiday season, Bob, Donna, and Clint Hansen of Maui Luxury Real Estate LLC organize an annual toy drive for the Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of Maui. This year’s drive surpassed all others and raised over $40,000. Donna Hansen said, “People were extremely generous this year because they knew everyone needed help. Especially the kids.”
The Hansens started this drive two decades ago. “I had a ladies' luncheon and asked everyone to bring a toy that meant something to them,” Donna recounts, “One woman shared a beloved doll her brother saved up to get her. She had tears telling us the story.” She realized then the tremendous impact the gift of a toy could have on a child.
Although the toy drive initially started among friends, it quickly grew. They now operate activities out of their office in Kihei with the support of staff, the Realtors Association of Maui, and the Bank of Hawaii. Although they encourage giving year-round, the toy drive ramps up in mid-November. They accept toy donations, offer pick-up services, and accept monetary donations with checks made out directly to the Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of Maui. To put everyone in the spirit of giving, they host a private holiday party with entertainment and food the first week of December.
Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of Maui supports children of abuse and neglect with services like tutoring, counseling, medical needs, enrichment programs, and filling in any gaps to aid in the healing of a child. During the holidays, they ensure all the kids they serve receive a gift and the Hansen’s toy drive has been a key player in those efforts. All donations are given to Maui County children, including Molokai and Lanai.
Realtor means a member of the National Association of Realtors. Do you know a Realtors Association of Maui member who should be recognized for their contributions to the community? If so, send your story idea to Alma Tassi at abtassi@gmail.com.
"For the last 24 years, the Hansen ‘ohana has made a tremendous impact on the lives of the children we serve. With the recent fires on Maui, Donna, Bob, and their ‘ohana understood not only the trauma that the keiki we serve had to endure, but more importantly, the additional keiki from the fires on the island, and how overwhelming it was for them as it is for all of us here,” said Paul Tonneson, executive director of the Children’s Justice Center of Maui. “They were able to assist us in meeting each and every request that came through for the holidays. They have and continue to show all of us in Maui County the true meaning of giving."
Donna sums it up best, “Showing kindness is more important than anything right now. It’s a philosophy our family has had for many years. It’s important to share. To give. To lend a helping hand. It’s the way we raised our kids.”