Debbie’s Chop Choppers

Dear Hawaii Island Food Bank:

Starting in 2007 my sister, Debbie Yoshiyama, the owner of a hairdresser salon called Debbie’s Chop Chopper’s, began working solo for herself.  She started asking her customers to bring in 2-3 cans of food instead of exchanging Christmas gifts with each other, and offered to match each donation to give to your organization.  For the past 3 years, she drove out to Kona to make Costco runs to pick-up canned goods to match what her customers have brought to her beauty shop.  She works very long hours during the holiday season – about 7 days a week- but she still finds time to put together all the canned goods in hopes to help the needy, especially since this year everyone is going through tough economic times.  She sacrifices gifts that can be given to her for the food drive she has held for the past 3 years. 

Some of her clients will give cash donations instead and she still matches that dollar for dollar and with that she buys the 20 pound bags of rice. This year she was able to purchase 16 bags of rice.  I think she is one special person not because she’s my sister but because she endlessly thinks of others before herself.
 
Another thing she does to inform her clients is to mail out over 130-140 newsletters inviting her customers to participate in this annual drive.  Before it gets to your doors, the expense is all hers: the time, mail outs, and the gas for 3-4 Costco runs.  For the past 3 years, her husband Wallace and her family comes down in 2-3 truck loads to help with the drop off.  We’re more than happy to assist because she makes us realize it’s more about giving than about receiving.  I’m her sister and I just wanted you all to know about my special sister, Debbie.

Happy Holidays!!!!
Ann Inaba

 

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