Inspire 2022 FALL
CMN: Miracle Moments
Left to right: Amanda Price, HPH director of philanthropy; Erin Isa, Neiman Marcus general manager; Gidget Ruscetta, Kapiolani chief operating officer; and Amy Tomita Castro, Neiman Marcus brand experience manager
Mom’s the Word
Customers discovered something special at Neiman Marcus in May. During Mother’s Day weekend, the store donated 10% of all in-store purchases to the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children. Neiman Marcus has been a consistent supporter of Kapiolani for the past decade, but this fundraiser spoke right to the heart of the store’s community.
“The pandemic posed unique challenges for many of us. Mothers we knew, both our employees and clients, had to work especially hard to help with their children’s care and education while schools were closed,” said Erin Isa, Neiman Marcus general manager. “This was our way of celebrating them and giving back to Kapiolani Medical Center which provides care for so many of the women and children in our state.”
A special guest greeted shoppers during the event. Kapiolani’s 2020-21 CMN Champion and 2022 National CMN Champion Haumea Friel, shared smiles and her custom-designed pin and still had time to find a new dress!
The shop-for-a-cause event raised $10,000 for Kapiolani kids.
Powering Up
Grabbing your favorite summertime sip may have helped give back to Kapiolani Children’s Miracle Network in 2021. Coca-Cola Bottling of Hawaii, LLC led two campaigns for CMN. The first was held in partnership with Walmart’s annual CMN fundraiser and featured special displays with signs noting that Coca-Cola would donate 25 cents for every Coca-Cola beverage purchased in the stores. The company then held a similar campaign at Times Supermarkets, with money from purchases of Powerade, Coca-Cola, Sprite, Dr. Pepper and other drinks going to the Kapiolani Radiothon for Kids. All those cents added up. Coca-Cola contributed $8,780 to Kapiolani CMN.
Making A Change
People come for satisfying bowls of curry topped with their choice of more than 30 toppings. But in 2021, customers of Curry House Coco Ichibanya could bring comfort to others with just a few coins. The eatery’s Ala Moana Center location set up a canister at the cash register and encouraged people to add their spare change to the collection for keiki at Kapiolani. The warmth of island diners shone through. In just two months, the team at Curry House Coco Ichibanya raised $2,917 to donate during the Kapiolani Radiothon for Kids. This is just the beginning of their giving. The restaurant is committed to continue supporting Kapiolani CMN in the future.