Volunteers are the backbone of Hawai`i Meals on Wheels, delivering 90 percent of the hot meals to the homes of our clients. The volunteers are also our hands and legs, reaching out with compassion to those who are homebound in neighborhoods throughout Oahu. They are also are the eyes and ears for Hawai`i Meals on Wheels, looking for other needs that may require specialized care for our clients, while listening with undivided attention as our clients freely share what is on their minds.
The volunteers of Hawai`i Meals on Wheels are indeed special people. They give their time unreservedly, expecting nothing in return, except perhaps a simple mahalo from their clients. This is the heart of Hawai`i Meals on Wheels.
While many of the volunteers may prefer to stay out of the limelight, shying away from attention, Hawaii Meals on Wheels feels it is important to acknowledge their efforts in a formal way. On April 24, about 300 volunteers and their guests gathered for Hawai`i Meals on Wheels’ annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon at Pearl City Country Club.
The excellent program was emceed by Hawaii Meals on Wheels staff members Kyle Tokushige, driver, and Christine Ho, who has recently been named development coordinator. Andrew Nomura, Hawai`i Meals on Wheels board president, and Claire Shimabukuro, Hawai`i Meals on Wheels executive director, thanked the volunteers for their dedication and service, both of whom also volunteer to deliver meals themselves.
“You’re the reason Hawaii Meals on Wheels can continue to do great work in the community,” said Andrew Nomura, pointing to the volunteers in the packed ballroom. He is said he feels connected to the service of the volunteers on a personal level because his parents recently became Hawaii Meals on Wheels clients.
“Every volunteer has a special story to share about their experiences in delivering meals,” Claire said. “All of you give your time to make deliveries to help others, but we are the ones who receive and are enriched in so many ways.”
The following volunteers were acknowledged for their years of dedicated service:
20 YEARS (Frank Gardner Award)
Sandi Chun
Mary McGuire, Mary
Ruby Siu
15 YEARS
Sandy Delmonte
10 YEARS
Verna Chock
Della Hable
Carolyn Ng
Michael Sawai
5 YEARS
Ipolani Bailey
Urszula Cwiklinska
John Dixon
Wayne Hong
Carol Ikeda
Candace Kato
Judith Kobayashi
Kim-Lee Lee
Tommy Loo
Patricia Pitre
Mamoru Saito
Fran Smithwaite
Kiyomi Smothermon
Helen Taufaasau
Sharon Wong
Ethel Yamashige
Jean Yee
Melvin Yee
Roy Yoshida
Joy Yoshihara
Lillian Yoshizawa
Congratulations to each of our volunteers! Here are some scenes from that special occasion.
