Robyn Washousky has dedicated much of her life to philanthropy, a commitment rooted in her childhood experiences. Growing up in Clarence, N.Y., she volunteered alongside her father at local homeless shelters. This early exposure to community service has evolved into significant contributions, including her current role in spearheading workplace donation drives for the Adopt a Family campaign organized by Helping Hands Hawai‘i.
The annual initiative aims to support local families in need by fulfilling their holiday wish lists. According to Kristine Garabiles, program manager at Helping Hands Hawai‘i’s Community Clearinghouse, donors can either adopt a family directly or contribute online. This year, the campaign hopes to assist 550 households across Oahu and nearby islands, with a special focus on helping at least 100 kupuna (elders). Garabiles stated, “The gifts that they get for the family, they’ll drop off at us to receive and then we plan the distribution for the families to come pick up.”
Washousky’s journey with the Adopt a Family campaign began when she worked at the Fertility Institute of Hawaii. She recognized that by coordinating donations from colleagues, they could significantly impact a family’s needs. “What warms my heart is giving back to others,” she shared. “It’s kind of just something that I continue looking forward to every year.”
Now serving as the executive director at Asia Pacific Aesthetics, Washousky has brought the campaign to her new workplace. This year, the family they adopted—a single mother and her two children who recently fled domestic violence—had a wish list filled with basic necessities. “They weren’t asking for PlayStation or name-brand shoes and clothes,” she noted. “They were asking for things we take for granted every day—sheets, blankets, shampoo, and pots and pans.”
Colleagues have enthusiastically joined in the effort. Nicole Navarro, administrator for Asia Pacific Aesthetics, expressed her excitement about participating in the campaign. “We all enjoyed being a part of this Adopt a Family campaign,” Navarro stated. “It was nice to see the office come together for a good cause.” She plans to involve her family next year, sharing the experience of helping those in need.
The significance of the Adopt a Family campaign resonates deeply with Washousky, particularly due to her own family’s experiences. Her father, Richard C. Washousky, who inspired her charitable endeavors, was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2014. Washousky committed to ensuring that her two children could build a relationship with him, making regular trips from Hawaii to New York over the eight years until his passing in 2022. “Family is everything. To my dad, I made a promise to him. He had told me, ‘Please keep this family together,’” she recalled.
Coordinating family visits across various states has not been without challenges. “It’s tough,” Washousky admitted. “But it’s one thing I do my best to make happen because I don’t want to see our family drift apart.” Her brother, David Washousky, reflected on their father’s philosophy of kindness, noting, “My dad was always big on ‘doing the right thing.’ We all know what that means deep down, but it’s usually a little harder or more uncomfortable to put yourself out there to make a difference.”
Although registration for donors for the Adopt a Family campaign has closed, the organization welcomes ongoing support. Contributions can be made online at helpinghandshawaii.org or by dropping off gift cards and unwrapped gifts at the Community Clearinghouse located at 2100 N. Nimitz Hwy. These contributions will assist families who have not yet been matched with donors.
Washousky’s dedication to philanthropy illustrates the profound impact of community involvement and the importance of family values in fostering a spirit of giving.
