Convoy multiplies its charity

Volunteers for Hawaii’s inaugural "Day of Compassion" last year say they were left with indelible impressions of how people were touched by the giant giveaway of food and services, moving them to help again.

After more than 14,000 people — twice the crowd expected — jammed the field level of Aloha Stadium last July for the Convoy of Hope-organized festival, organizers of the faith-based outreach event are staging this year’s Convoy at three Oahu sites on July 28.

Needy families and individuals are invited to receive free food and services at Convoy sites at Kapolei Fairgrounds, McKinley High School and Kailua Recreation Center.

Last year "we were bursting at the seams," said the Rev. Mel Corpuz, who was a volunteer at the 2011 event. Corpuz said he initially thought the stadium would be too big for the 7,000 people expected.

But when twice as many turned out, "We were totally amazed!" he said. "It was one of the biggest turnouts mainland coordinators had seen. They couldn’t believe it because Hawaii is one of the smallest states."

Convoy of Hope Hawaii spokes­man Bulla Eastman said the organization, whose slogan is "A driving passion to feed the world," will distribute more than 67.5 tons of free groceries and other supplies to needy people here on July 28, about three times the amount given out last year.

Convoy of Hope’s website said it has served more than 52 million people since it was founded in 1994 by Assembly of God minister Hal Donaldson. The organization is based in Springfield, Mo.

Corpuz said features such as cotton candy, rides and games were designed to give children "a taste of heaven" and provide parents some relief from worrying about how much everything cost.

"What brought joy to their hearts was to see their children have fun. People leaving were so overwhelmed with everything," he said.

The bulk of the $220,000 needed to underwrite the event was raised by Assembly of God churches, Eastman said. More than 50 churches of diverse faiths, and many businesses, government and community organizations joined up in the spirit of neighbors helping neighbors, Eastman said.

Corpuz, who is in charge of the Kapolei site this year, said Convoy "is a movement to bring awareness (of poverty) but also to bring hope to those that really need hope. Not just physically, but to the whole person, spiritually, and also to give them hope mentally because they can be tormented in their minds."

The first Convoy rule is to treat everyone who comes as a "guest of honor, no matter who they are," and what little they have, Corpuz said, citing Matthew 25:40: "The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’"

Pastor Greg Hood of Life Church-Hawaii said he and his wife, Joan, were in charge of providing free haircuts last year. They will oversee the Kailua site this year. Hood recalled that one mother came last year with three children with unkempt hair.

"You could see her crying because of her happiness in having her children getting professional haircuts for the first time. She had been the one giving them haircuts," he said.

"We didn’t understand what we were getting into and didn’t realize the impact it would have on the lives of the people that came. It was overwhelming to see that on Oahu there was that much need. It was very heartbreaking. We’ve got to do more," Hood said.

Some of the needy families belonging to their church also benefited. The 35 people who volunteered last year encouraged others to help, and about 100 people from his church will be helping this year, Hood said.

Ten thousand people are expected at each location, and each site needs to be manned by 1,000 volunteers. Five hundred additional volunteers are needed, he said.

Dr. Kore Liow, head of Hawaii Pacific Neuroscience, and his wife, Michelle Liow, a health administrator, ran the health tent last year, which provided more than 800 people with medical and dental screenings, he said. This year Kore Liow will supervise 150 physicians and other health providers at three sites, and Michelle Liow will run activities at McKinley.

Hospitals, medical centers in Wai­anae and Wai­ma­nalo, and the University of Hawaii HOME Project have gotten involved — "everybody is so giving and united to give back to the community, and not all are Christians," he said.

Kore Liow said the event is not a quick solution to pervasive poverty. "We’re trying to create a culture of compassion so it has a long-lasting effect," he said.

The people who came last year, ranging from the homeless to white-collar professionals barely managing the high cost of living, lined up in such huge numbers, "it was astonishing to us," Michelle Liow said. There was one family there, with five of them sharing a pair of slippers. They were barefoot on the hot asphalt, and two of the boys were fighting over their turn at the slippers. "That really broke my heart," she said.

Kore Liow said it struck him how people take for granted simple things that are barriers to others. For example, there was this one boy who always wanted to play football for his school but was prevented by his family’s inability to pay for a physical checkup. He was able to get a free physical last year at Convoy, and it makes "you want to give back every little bit you can," he said. "We’re so fortunate to be where we are."