:: Donations ::

Dear Northwestern Hawaii Club family and friends,

Aloha! We are Blair Limm and Jessa Baker, Co-Presidents of the Hawaii Club. Our club supports students from Hawaii, with 28 of them currently active. Through our annual luau, we also bring a touch of Hawaii to kama‘aina (native-born Hawaiians) and others living in the Chicago area. The luau is a unique opportunity to share our Hawaiian culture with the Northwestern community. It is as traditional as possible, complete with authentic Hawaiian food, student-choreographed hula, and Hawaiian decorations. Our theme this year is “Aloha Kakou: Aloha to Everyone.”

Since we are 4,200 miles away from home, we lack tropical flowers, candies and other souvenir items used in centerpieces, door prizes, and stage decorations. We spend days cooking Hawaiian dishes and painting banners, among other preparations. Last year about 200 people attended our luau. We welcome everyone to our luau and are preparing to accommodate 225 guests this year. Consequently, we must acquire many Hawaiian items. “Aloha Kakou” will be our 21st annual luau, and we need your support.

On behalf of the Hawaii Club, we ask for your help in preparation for the 21st anniversary of our luau, which will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2006. We would greatly appreciate a donation of any size, monetary or otherwise. We are a tax exempt group (#E 9990-4055-04) and can offer tax deductions. We rely heavily on support and donations from people like you because we do not have the funds to purchase all of the necessary luau supplies on our own.

We utilize all donations, and luau attendees are thoroughly impressed by the entire experience. Guests are delighted when greeted with lei upon their arrival, and they always leave with satisfied stomachs, fond memories of the hula and beaming smiles on their faces. An authentic Hawaiian luau is a real treat for kama‘aina now living in the Chicago area. Many guests come back with friends year after year to satisfy their Hawaiian food cravings. They mark the date on their calendars as soon as it is known.

Enclosed is a luau outline and wish list with more information and suggestions on ways you can help. You may also visit our website at http://groups.northwestern.edu/hawaiiclub for more information on the club.

With your assistance, we look forward to an even more successful luau. You may contact us over the next few months with questions, comments, contacts or even for updates on how we are progressing in our preparations. Thank you for your support.

Mahalo nui loa (thank you very much),