Robyn Washousky’s lifelong commitment to philanthropy was influenced by her father and has culminated in significant contributions to her community. Over the past 14 years, Washousky has been instrumental in supporting the annual Adopt a Family campaign run by Helping Hands Hawai‘i. This initiative aims to provide essential items to local families in need during the holiday season.
The campaign allows donors to “adopt a family” and either purchase gifts from a provided wish list or make an online contribution. According to Kristine Garabiles, program manager at Helping Hands Hawai‘i’s Community Clearinghouse, the gifts are collected and distributed to families who may not otherwise receive support. This year, the organization hopes to assist 550 households across Oahu and neighboring islands, including at least 100 kupuna (elderly individuals).
Washousky, who is currently the executive director at Asia Pacific Aesthetics, first learned about the campaign while working at the Fertility Institute of Hawaii. She recognized the potential for collective office donations to significantly impact a family’s needs. “What warms my heart is giving back to others,” Washousky stated. “It’s something I look forward to every year.”
This year’s adopted family—a single mother with two children who recently escaped domestic violence—had a wish list filled with basic necessities. “They were asking for items we often take for granted—sheets, blankets, shampoo, pots and pans,” she reflected. “They weren’t asking for luxury items.”
Colleagues at Asia Pacific Aesthetics have also embraced the campaign. Nicole Navarro, an administrator at the company, expressed her enthusiasm: “We enjoyed participating in the Adopt a Family campaign. It was heartening to see our office come together for a good cause.” Navarro plans to continue her involvement next year, emphasizing the importance of family support in such initiatives.
Washousky’s commitment to philanthropy is deeply personal. Her father, Richard C. Washousky, inspired her through his own charity work but faced a difficult battle with brain cancer starting in 2014. After his diagnosis, Washousky made a concerted effort to ensure her children forged a relationship with their grandfather, traveling from Hawaii to Buffalo, NY, several times a year until his passing in 2022. “Family is everything,” she said, reflecting on her father’s wish for the family to remain close-knit.
Organizing family visits has presented challenges, as Washousky coordinates across multiple states, with her brother in Pennsylvania, her sister in South Carolina, and their mother in North Carolina. “It’s tough to keep the family together,” she acknowledged, “but it’s something I strive for because I know it would make him proud.”
Her brother, David Washousky, recalled their father’s emphasis on integrity and helping others. “My dad was always big on ‘doing the right thing,'” he noted. He also recognized Robyn’s role as a mentor, highlighting her contributions to the Big Brothers Big Sisters program despite her naturally reserved demeanor.
Though the registration period for the Adopt a Family campaign has ended, contributions can still be made online at helpinghandshawaii.org or by dropping off unwrapped gifts and gift cards at the Community Clearinghouse located at 2100 N. Nimitz Hwy. These donations will support families who remain unmatched with donors, ensuring that no one in need is overlooked during the holiday season.
