WAILUKU - Youth and adult volunteers were honored at a "Celebration of Service" last month, hosted by the county Volunteer Center, as part of National Volunteer Week.
The week honors people and organizations dedicated to taking action and creating solutions for their communities, a news release about the April 16 event said.
Through the Volunteer Center's Volunteer and VolunTEEN Hero programs, 22 Mauians were nominated and honored by Mayor Alan Arakawa at the event for their loyalty and drive for giving of themselves and helping others. All volunteers received certificates of appreciation, lei and goody bags.
Article Photos
Kelly Takushi and Jillian Strong, VolunTEEN Heroes and winners of the Outstanding Leadership Awards, pose with Mayor Alan Arakawa at a “Celebration of Service” event last month.
County of Maui / RYAN PIROS photo
Two VolunTEEN Heroes were selected for the Outstanding Leadership Awards - Kelly Takushi for his work with underage drinking prevention at Maui Economic Opportunity and Jillian Strong of Big Brothers Big Sisters for her mentoring volunteer work.
Other VolunTEEN Heroes honored included Alyssa Pascua of Best Buddies Hawaii; Kyeton Littel of Maui Food Bank; Makena and Raven Gadient of Imua Family Services; Maria Peralta of Boys & Girls Club of Maui; Nalei Sampson of Nature Conservancy and Maui Nui Marine Resources Council; Palani Keanu Santos of Olowalu Cultural Reserve; and Rachel Pascual of the county Parks and Recreation Department.
Adult Volunteer Heroes honored and their organizations follow: Blair Boucher of Lanai Animal Rescue Center; Pua Hashimoto of Friends of the Chaplain; Dale Stewart of Pacific Whale Foundation; David Jorgenson of Maui Economic Opportunity; Diane Brittain of Imua Family Services; Linda Quinn of Lahaina Complex Tutoring Project; Margaret Enomoto of NaHoaloha - Neighbors Helping Neighbors; Perrisa Kilmer of Maui Food Bank; Suzanne Freitas of Waste Not Want Not Foundation; Terence "Terry" Tomas of Maui Nui Botanical Gardens; Tom Worthington of the American Red Cross; and William Mercer Richards of Hali'imaile Community Garden.
