MEO Honors 2018 Volunteer, Benefactor of the Year

On Nov. 26, Mercer “Chubby” Vicens visited the Maui Mentor Center, which bears his name, to present at check from Alexander & Baldwin to Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaiʻi.  He was recognized as the 2018 Volunteer of the Year at Maui Economic Opportunity.  File photo courtesy.

Maui Economic Opportunity named Mercer “Chubby” Vicens its 2018 Volunteer of the Year a its 33nd Annual Volunteer Luncheon on Feb. 14, 2019. Hawai’i Community Foundation was also recognized as the 2018 Benefactor of the Year.

In 2018, MEO’s 601 volunteers performed over 4,030 service hours, saving MEO approximately $77,400 dollars in labor costs.

Vicens was among five nominees recognized at the event, which also included nominees: Eddie Domingo who was nominated by Early Childhood Services, Leonardo Sequeira who was nominated by Community Services, Gerry Smith who was nominated by the MEO Business Development Center, and Clifford Alakai who was nominated by the Fiscal department.

Vicens was nominated by administration of MEO who said, “He has given a great deal of his time, talent and shared his treasury for over 25 years. His leadership qualities and vast knowledge of business, construction, personnel, and finance made him an invaluable part of MEO’s Board and board committees.”

Mayor Michael P. Victorino attended the event and proclaimed Feb. 14, 2019 Mercer “Chubby” Vicens Day for his years of volunteer service to MEO and to Maui County.

Meantime, MEO has been the recipient of Hawai’i Community Foundation grants dating back to 2006 with total support of more than $280,000. “The Hawai’i Community Foundation enhances lives by supporting programs that meet specific objectives and help donors make informed and meaningful choices with regard to funding designation. They create partnerships by bringing funders together with nonprofits and community and government leaders to leverage social investment and create lasting change by making the most of donor’s gifts,” according to MEO administrators.

“They have been described as a Navigator, Connector, and Builder, an organization that helps identify where donors can make the greatest impact. Hawai’i Community Foundation funds have assisted MEO to support funding shortfalls and ensure MEO fulfills its mission of strengthening the community while helping people in need,” MEO administrators said.