Star Light, Star Bright Donations Needed to Help Children of Incarcerated Mothers

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY 

DAVID Y. IGE
GOVERNOR

TED SAKAI
DIRECTOR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dec. 2, 2014

Star Light, Star Bright Donations Needed to help Children of Incarcerated Mothers

(Pictured: Santa along with WCCC inmates and their children at their Christmas Party)

HONOLULU – The Catholic Diocese of Honolulu’s Prison Ministry is collecting donations to bring together children and their mothers, incarcerated at the Women’s Community Correctional Center (WCCC), for a Christmas party on December 13th. Monetary donations are being accepted through Dec. 13.

The program, called “Star Light, Star Bright,” needs $19,000 just to fly 59 children and 34 caregivers from the Neighbor Islands to Oahu for the celebration.

The Catholic ministry started transporting children and their caregivers to Oahu for the party in 2012, with St. Stephen Diocesan Center providing housing and meals for a few days stay. Originally the program only brought gifts to the children but it has transformed into a day with their mothers that the children and their mothers cherish forever.

The goal is to help mend damaged and strained relationships between incarcerated moms and their children.

Last year Star Light served 73 children, 22 from the Neighbor Islands. This year, 159 children have registered for the program. Funds are needed for airfare, the party, and gifts for the children and their mothers.

The program is also seeking gift sponsors for the children. To make a donation or for more information, go to www.catholichawaii.org and click on “Prison Ministry.” Donors can also e-mail [email protected], or call 203-6722.

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