The Salvation Army Celebrates ‘Partners in Community Service’

The Salvation Army – Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Division will award the 2015 Partners in Community Service Awards on Friday, May 1, presented by McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawai’i.

A gala event at TSA’s Family Treatment Services facility in Honolulu will take place in honor of the awardees, who include Central Pacific Bank, Kyo-Ya Hotels and Resorts LP, McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawai’i, and TSA advisory board member and volunteer Ritchie Mudd.

“Each of our honorees fully embraces the spirit of the award by giving back to our island communities in significant, impactful ways,” said Major John Chamness, Divisional Leader for The Salvation Army – Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Division. “We wouldn’t be able to reach the 117,000 people in need each year in Hawai’i without the support of companies and individuals like our honorees. We are truly counting our blessings!”

The following are recipients of the 2015 Partners in Community Service Awards:

Central Pacific Bank has sponsored the TSA Angel Tree program throughout the state at its 35 branches over the past five years. Through the program, more than $600,000 has been raised.

Kyo-Ya Hotels & Resorts LP hosted the NFL Play 60 event prior to the 2014 Pro Bowl. More than 200 children met professional football players, played games, participated in exercises, and learned to stay active and healthy.

McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawai’i has been a longtime supporter of TSA programs and volunteers through the Ray & Joan Kroc Community Center. They also provide food and beverages for TSA’s volunteers that help youth events and kupuna in the community.

Ritchie Mudd is a TSA advisory member and one of TSA’s top volunteers. Mudd chairs the annual Thanksgiving Meal event in Honolulu. He oversees all the logistics and helps to develop relationships with local communities for in-kind donations and ensuring TSA has enough meals for those in need during the holidays.

Pathway of Hope, TSA’s recently launched program that provides a foundation of housing, jobs, and a new community to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty, homelessness, and drug addition, will be supported by proceeds from the gala.

“We aim to bring lasting changes to participant’s lives by focusing on three pillars of change: jobs; housing; and a new community of support and accountability,” said Chamness. “Research indicates that an addicted or homeless person’s ability to make lasting changes in their lives is greatly enhanced by providing services that focus on removing barriers for these three pillars.

“Our experience shows us that families and individuals often face a repeating cycle of recidivism – where they move from crisis to crisis and remain vulnerable. By successfully offering a targeted set of services, rooted in strengths-based case management, we will help more families and individuals truly break the cycle of crisis and achieve stability.”

Sponsors of the 2015 Partners in Community Service Awards include: McDonalds’ Restaurants of Hawai’i; Pacific Business News; Central Pacific Bank; Kyo-Ya Hotels & Resort LP; A-1 A–Lectrician, Inc; American Carpet One; Bank of Hawai’i; Carlsmith Ball, LLC; CW Associates; First Hawaiian Bank; Grizzard; Hawaiian Electric; Honolulu Star-Advertiser; Honsador Holding LLC,; KPMG; Oceanic Time Warner Cable; MW Group, Ltd.; Nan Inc.; Sofos Realty Corporation; Territorial Savings Bank; and The Salvation Army KROC Center Hawai’i.