MEDIA RELEASE

Phyllis Shinno, Wilma Matsumura and Bonnie Geiger make curtains for Neighborhood Place of Puna.

PAHOA, HAWAII—December 18, 2010 – Members of the Zonta Club of Hilo dedicated their Saturday morning Dec. 11 to the club’s annual Weinberg Service Project at the Neighborhood Place of Puna in Pahoa. For their efforts, the club earned the family-strengthening center a $10,000 grant.

“This grant will help us provide clients with basic needs to keep them afloat in tough times,” said Mary Hyslop, executive director of Neighborhood Place. “This really makes a difference in the lives of the families we serve.

To meet the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation’s criteria, 27 Hilo Zontians, along with some friends, worked for four hours cleaning, making curtains, assembling toiletry kits and constructing educational bookmarks and anti-violence posters.

“Zonta Club of Hilo is so lucky to be a conduit from Weinberg to the East Hawaii community,” said Zonta president Kathleen Nielsen. “Our members enjoyed a day of work and fellowship and, frankly, a lot of teasing.”

Zonta Club of Hilo workers outside the Neighborhood Place of Puna.

The Neighborhood Place of Puna’s goal is to prevent child abuse and neglect by helping families recognize their strengths. The center empowers families and communities in Puna by building strong foundations through healthy relationships that value each person’s uniqueness. For information, visit the website: www.neighborhoodplaceofpuna.org

Through service and advocacy, the Zonta Club of Hilo advances the status of women and girls worldwide. The Hilo group is part of Zonta International and its efforts to promote the health and welfare of women and girls around the globe, mainly, to prevent violence against women and end human trafficking. Business and professional women are the member base of Zonta.

Locally, Zonta supports programs and services that advance women and children, such as nursing and business scholarships for deserving women. Zonta Club of Hilo provides opportunities to serve the community, broaden member knowledge base and network among colleagues and friends through program meetings that feature community speakers. For more information on the Zonta Club of Hilo, go to: www.zontahilo.org.