Inspire Magazine Fall 2018 | Page 24

COSTCO-SIZE EFFORT Left: Ocean animals made up the balloon display at Costco Kapolei. Above (Inset): 2018 CMN Champion Kayle Osai with Costco associates. RECORD-BREAKING FUNDRAISER When it comes to super-size shopping, Costco goes big. The same can be said for its fundraising efforts. Hawai‘i’s Costco stores raised a record $535,865 in 2018 for Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children, Hawai‘i’s only Children’s Miracle Network hospital. All seven Hawai‘i locations contributed to the largest finish ever for its Miracle May campaign, a one-month collection of donations from associates and members. Each Hawai‘i Costco team had its own unique approach for building support for Kapi‘olani. On Maui, the entire community was inspired to get involved. In the weeks leading up to the start 24 INSPIRE | FA L L 2 0 1 8 of the campaign, Maui Costco team members went out and encouraged local businesses to join the cause. The warehouse took large Children’s Miracle Network balloons and banners to hang over the cash registers of participating businesses like Maui Coffee Roasters, Sam Sato’s and 808 Towing, to name a few. This rallying of support made Maui Costco the number one fund- raising warehouse in Hawai‘i with $93,996. On Kaua‘i, Costco workers looked forward to the sounds of bells. Team members would ring a bell to celebrate donations. It was a sweet sound of success—the Kaua‘i Costco surpassed its entire 2017 fundraising efforts in just 11 days of this year’s campaign. Shoppers discovered a lot of enthusi- asm on O‘ahu as well. At the Hawai‘i Kai Costco, team members stayed motivated by friendly competition. The warehouse staff divided into groups so customers could support their favorite cashier team by making a donation. Iwilei Costco hosted creative fundrais- ing events throughout May including plate lunch sales, bake sales and two concerts. The money raised will pay for new ultrasound machines at Kapi‘olani. At the Fetal Diagnostic Center at Kapi‘olani, specialized 4D high-resolu- tion ultrasound equipment will quickly identify complicated pregnancies. The other ultrasound machines will be used in the Emergency Department to help identify pediatric problems including liver disease, brain abnormalities in premature infants, and neck or thyroid gland disorders.