10 Maui Groups Benefit from HC&S Community Grants

Pictured from left to right: Maureen Maurer (Assistance Dogs of Hawaiʻi); Dawson Nuese (Kīhei Little League); Camie Shiffler (Kīhei Little League); Erin Jasper (Assistance Dogs of Hawaiʻi); Lisa Varde (Maui Memorial Medical Center Foundation). Photo credit: HC&S.

Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company announced its 2015 Community Initiative grant recipients during an award ceremony on Thursday at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center. A total of 10 community organizations were selected to receive a combined $54,000 in funding.

This year’s grant making efforts focused on projects, programs and organizations that enrich the lives of the island’s children and their families.

Recipients include: Assistance Dogs of Hawaiʻi, Boys & Girls Club of Maui, Friends of the Children’s Justice Center, Hospice Maui, Imua Family Services, Kīhei Little League, Kiwanis Club of Maui, Maui Memorial Medical Center Foundation, Maui Police Department Juvenile Crime Prevention Division and Maui Upcountry Little League.

The grant recipients were selected based on the needs of the organization and the direct impact the funds would have on the Maui community.  Below are details about each organization and the funds they were gifted:

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  Hospice Maui was awarded $5,000 to launch Na Keiki o Emalia, a bereavement program to support children through the loss of a parent or sibling. Pictured left to right: Rick Volner (HC&S General Manager); Adele Rugg (HC&S Community Initiative grant review committee chair); Brooke Brown (Nā Keiki O Emalia, Executive Director); Robert Pellettieri (HC&S Community Initiative grant review committee member). Photo credit: HC&S.

  Assistance Dogs of Hawaiʻi received $10,000 to support the implementation and operation of therapy outreach programs that connect specially trained dogs with children to build personal and classroom skills.

• Maui Memorial Medical Center Foundation was awarded $10,000 to purchase a neonatal warmer with state-of-the-art technology for critically ill infant patients.
• The Boys & Girls Club of Maui received $6,000 to implement its Project Positive Sprouts Program, a community gardening initiative for Maui children.
• Imua Family Services received $5,770 to provide eight months of in-room therapeutic support for preschool students with developmental disabilities.
• Hospice Maui was awarded $5,000 to launch Nā Keiki o Emalia, a bereavement program to support children through the loss of a parent or sibling.
• Kīhei Little League received $5,000 to fund new safety equipment and a scholarship program for players.
• Maui Upcountry Little League received $5,000, which will go toward the purchase of a batting cage enclosure for use during rainy seasons.
• Maui Police Department’s Juvenile Crime Prevention Division was awarded $3,000 for positive outreach intervention, juvenile counseling services, and to support its KALO program, which works with Maui families to improve communications skills and provide healthy home environments for keiki.
• Kiwanis Club of Maui received a $2,500 grant for roofing materials, paint and supplies to build and repair school bus stops to keep children safe.
• Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of Maui was awarded $2,000 to identify, support and assist victims of child abuse in the community.

“HC&S has a long-standing commitment to the Maui community,” said HC&S general manager Rick Volner in a company press release. “Supporting these small, yet impactful organizations through the HC&S Community Initiative allows our company to enhance the quality of life for our neighbors and family members. As a parent, coach and volunteer, I know firsthand how grants like these can make a difference in the lives of our community’s children.”

The HC&S Community Initiative, now in its second year, has awarded over $150,000 to Maui nonprofits and community groups.  The grants this year are part of a $100,000 community commitment which will also include support for neighboring schools and a service project program.