| President's Letter Fulton 04-05 |
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Aloha ODKF Friends and Supporters! First of all, speaking for the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation's Board of Directors, we want to extend a big Mahalo to all our supporters for their generous donations in 2005: monetary, in-kind and the volunteering of time. It has been a great year for ODKF and we were delighted to share this success with the outstanding young adults and community groups we pledge to help. We increased our annual giving of scholarships and grants to $80,000 – which is double from just a few years ago – and plan to boost the total to $100,000 and more in the coming years. Kudos especially to outgoing ODKF President Cary Moore and Sharon Brown of First Hawaiian Bank for expanding our gift-giving program. The scholar-athletes we sponsor represent the very best of Duke Paoa Kahanamoku and the values he passed down with his Creed. Like the great man himself, these deserving "Kids of Duke" are thankful caretakers of his legacy and embrace the responsibility of being Hawai`i's Ambassadors of Aloha. We have gotten to know these talented young men and women and they have earned our support with their dedication and commitment to excel. ODKF is continually looking for new ways to bolster its scholarships and grants fundraising. Last April, we held and Auction at Hula Grill in Waikiki. It was so successful in supporting ODKF's mission, the board decided to make it an annual event. The next auction is scheduled for October 2006. Don't miss the fun! ODKF and its beneficiaries were also helped by the funds raised and positive media exposure generated within the community from the Fourth Annual Duke's Ho`olaule`a in August. Mahalo to the City and County of Honolulu, TS Restaurants, Outrigger Hotels and Resorts, Hawaiian Airlines and our many other community-minded sponsors for this tribute to Duke and their help in raising awareness about the work of this foundation. We also maintained our outreach programs to help underprivileged youths and those needing a guiding hand by sponsoring the Fourth Annual Boys and Girls Club Duke Kahanamoku Sports and Fitness Day and the Hawaii Youth Challenge Academy Duke Kahanamoku Water Sports and Fitness Day. You should see how happy these kids are when someone shows they care! Next year we are expanding ODKF's outreach commitment to support a new program with the U.S. Attorney's Office and Police Activities League. It is designed to help kids needing direction and is being called the Sheriff Duke Kahanamoku Sports Fest in honor of Duke's career in law enforcement. The sports festival takes place in April 2006 at the University of Hawai`i. Thanks to Wink Arnott and Edward Richardson for their help with this event. However, none of ODKF's work would be possible without your contributions and belief in what we are striving to accomplish. We remain more committed than ever to fulfilling our mission and, with your continued support, look forward to an even better year in 2006. Mahalo nui loa, |
