When Hawaii Life real estate brokers Denise Nakanishi and Mealoha Kraus learned about a backpack drive to help Big Island keiki in need, “Team Nakanishi” decided to take action.

Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of East Hawaii is always looking to collect monies, clothes and basic needs for children who are removed from their abusive, at-risk homes and placed into the foster care system. The children often are removed from their homes with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

Throughout the month of August, Team Nakanishi collected backpacks through social media posts, friends and family who wanted to kokua East Hawaii keiki. They were able to collect more than 40 backpacks that were presented to Friends board president Stephanie Oshiro and board member Suzy Sternlicht.

Coincidentally, the Friends had actually just depleted their own backpack collection when the Team Nakanishi drive was completed.

As part of its continuing fundraising efforts, Friends of the Children’s Justice Center, is hosting a Mai Tai Masquerade from 5:30-10 p.m. Oct. 27 at Nani Mau Gardens, an evening of mai tais, pupu and entertainment. For more information, visit www.fcjceasthawaii.org.

When Hawaii Life real estate brokers Denise Nakanishi and Mealoha Kraus learned about a backpack drive to help Big Island keiki in need, “Team Nakanishi” decided to take action.

Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of East Hawaii is always looking to collect monies, clothes and basic needs for children who are removed from their abusive, at-risk homes and placed into the foster care system. The children often are removed from their homes with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

Throughout the month of August, Team Nakanishi collected backpacks through social media posts, friends and family who wanted to kokua East Hawaii keiki. They were able to collect more than 40 backpacks that were presented to Friends board president Stephanie Oshiro and board member Suzy Sternlicht.

Coincidentally, the Friends had actually just depleted their own backpack collection when the Team Nakanishi drive was completed.

As part of its continuing fundraising efforts, Friends of the Children’s Justice Center, is hosting a Mai Tai Masquerade from 5:30-10 p.m. Oct. 27 at Nani Mau Gardens, an evening of mai tais, pupu and entertainment. For more information, visit www.fcjceasthawaii.org.