The Catholic Diocese of Hono­lulu’s Prison Ministry is collecting donations to bring together children and their incarcerated mothers at the Women’s Community Correctional Center on Oahu for a Christmas party.

Monetary donations are being accepted through Dec. 13. The program, dubbed "Star Light, Star Bright," hopes to cover airfare for 59 children and 34 caregivers on neighbor islands, according to a news release.

Since the program was started in 2000, the ministry has brought holiday cheer to more than 2,800 children, the release said. The program began as a holiday gifts home delivery service, and later began organizing Christmas parties and celebratory family gatherings. The ministry started transporting children and caregivers to Oahu for the annual party in 2012, with St. Stephen Diocesan Center providing housing and meals for short stays.

Paulette Vernay, the program’s coordinator, said in the release: "Through the years, we learned from caregivers that many children, especially middle-schoolers and teenagers, felt resentment that their moms were not there for them. Some of them had not even seen their moms for several years. … Our hope was that a simple act of giving would help in the process of mending damaged or strained relationships between incarcerated moms, their children and their children’s caregiver."

Vernay said "Star Light, Star Bright" served 73 children last year, including 22 from the neighbor islands.This year 159 children have registered for the program. Funds are needed for airfare, the party and gifts for the children and their mothers.

The program is also seeking gift sponsors for the children.To make a donation or for more information, go to catho­lic­hawaii.org, click on "Diocesan Offices," then on "Prison Ministry." Donors can also email pvernay@rcc­hawaii.org or call 203-6722.