UH-Hilo Student Wins Donation for Rainbow Friends

A Big Island animal shelter is the recipient of a prize won in a nationwide contest by a University of Hawaii at Hilo student.

Cody Fred, a sophomore majoring in computer science, was the winner in the Sodexo University Dining Services “Share That U Care” contest.

The promotion encouraged students to spread the word about their favorite charities and to help make a difference through charitable contributions.

Fred chose the Rainbow Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kurtistown as his charity because of his love for animals and his support for the humane mission of the organization, a UH-Hilo spokeswoman said.

Cody Fred. UH-Hilo photo.

Fred volunteered at the sanctuary while a high school student at the Hawaii Academy of Arts and Sciences.

“We are a no-kill sanctuary whose goal is to help alleviate the animal abandonment and overpopulation issues facing our island,” said the sanctuary’s founder, Mary Rose Krijgsman.

“We take in any dog and cat that needs new homes and adopt them to loving families,” Krijgsman said. “If the animals are not adopted, they have a permanent home at our sanctuary.”

Fred will be honored at an awards ceremony at noon Wednesday, Dec. 4, in the UH-Hilo Campus Center Dining Room.

A representative from the Rainbow Friends will also be present to accept the $2,500 donation on behalf of Fred and Sodexo Campus Services.