Maui mother Karin Frost gets a lot of pleasure from knowing that the Ergobaby carrier she designed to carry her own son back in 2002 caught the attention of other parents around the world and became an award-winning best seller.
Fast-forward to today: Karin’s son is a happy 13-year-old living with his mom and extended ‘ohana in Makawao; Karin has sold a majority stake in her business; and sales from Ergo’s line of carriers and other products are booming.
Still, Karin is who she always has been. “Success hasn’t changed me; I work on staying balanced.” One of the ways she does this is by giving back to the island community where both her son and her business were born. “I feel deep gratitude for the incredible gift that’s been bestowed on me,” said Frost.
Karin knew she wanted to make philanthropy a family affair and turned to the Hawai‘i Community Foundation (HCF) for help. “The beauty of working with HCF is that they bring families like ours together to figure out what their areas of interest are and how to make the most impact with our gifts.” Through a donor advised fund and private family foundation (for which HCF provides grantmaking services), the Frosts decided to support the community in two areas: early childhood development/family support and the environment.
With her parents, brother and son, Karin has witnessed the difference that giving can make. They’ve had the chance to meet with dads who have gotten closer to their children, thanks to a program the Frosts are passionate about called Fatherhood Involvement Team (FIT) on Maui, Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i. The family also visited two environmental projects they support on Moloka‘i.
Karin recognizes that improving people’s situations—whether through a product or philanthropy—offers rewards that go in both directions: “When you know you’ve touched other people’s lives, an energetic exchange happens. Both lives are enhanced.” There are many grateful people on and beyond Maui who can attest to that.
To learn more about how the Hawai‘i Community Foundation can help you with your giving: www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org
To learn more about the Father Involvement Team at Maui Family Support Services: www.mfss.org
Encouraging the spirit of giving in your young ones
When parents involve their young children in giving together as a family, they are not only helping others in need but also teaching valuable lessons about the importance of sharing and developing good money habits.
One tool that has helped some Hawai‘i families is the “Moonjar.” It’s a simple, three-part bank designed to help children sort money for saving, sharing and spending. The bank is a springboard for conversations about earning money (through chores and gifts) and making thoughtful decisions about the best ways to use it.
How to use the Moonjar:
- Save — Put aside money first because saving is the most difficult thing to do.
- Share — Discuss how the child could make a difference starting with his/her interests: the Humane Society, the library, etc.
- Spend – Talk about the difference between wants and needs. Share tips on stretching money through sales, coupons, etc.
To learn more about the Moonjar:
www.moonjar.com
