“I feel like I found my calling,” said Doreen Sautner of Kauai Hospice, according to a press release, after she was presented with an award recognizing humanitarian service in the community by the Rotary Club of Kaua‘i. “It’s just so
“I feel like I found my calling,” said Doreen Sautner of Kauai Hospice, according to a press release, after she was presented with an award recognizing humanitarian service in the community by the Rotary Club of Kaua‘i. “It’s just so rewarding.”
Sautner has been a registered nurse with Kaua‘i Hospice since 1999. As a longtime employee, she has provided compassionate and competent care to individuals making the transition.
“Doreen is an inspiration to the entire Hospice team,” states the release. “She is passionate about her job.”
The six Rotary Clubs on the island, from the Westside of Kaua‘i all the way to Hanalei Bay, gathered at the Hilton Kauai Beach Resort recently to honor a few of the unsung heroes that serve the island community.
The 43 Rotary Clubs of Hawai‘i and their 2,200 Rotarians accepted a challenge by George Fontaine, Rotary district governor, to recognize those who provide extraordinary vocational service to their communities.
Clubs in O‘ahu, Maui and the Big Island each honored an individual or two, but on Kaua‘i, all the clubs joined together to host the recent Humanitarian Awards dinner and celebrate the selfless giving of the caring Kaua‘i citizens. The awards were presented in the following categories: hospice worker, social worker, homeless care provider, ocean safety officer, firefighter and policeman.
“These folks believe in what they do and give from their heart. Yet, they are never thanked and applauded,” Fontaine commented, according to the release.
Rotarians presented a $500 gift to each recipient, and acknowledged each individual.
Well-known North Shore lifeguard Mark McKamey was recognized in the ocean safety category by the Hanalei Rotary Club. While drumming for the band Rumbletones at night, McKamey has been guarding Kaua‘i’s North Shore beaches for 18 years. McKamey and his fellow lifeguards have saved the lives of 486 people just this year alone.
Awarded the Humanitarian Award for her work with the homeless, Veronica Texeira is dedicated to her clients and the Kauai Economic Opportunity program. Texeira is a hardworking, empathetic woman, who assists 42 clients a year, promoting positive skills, talents, and attitude, assisting homeless Kauaians as they transition into permanent housing situations.
Fahy Bailey, president of the Rotary Club of Kapa‘a, presented her club’s award by recognizing the policeman who had given the most to the community. The award was presented to Mark Ozaki, the founder of the Kauai Police Athletic League. Since KPAL’s founding, the organization has participants in almost every sport, including cheerleading.
The Rotary Club of Po‘ipu Beach presented the award for social worker. It selected Roberta Williams, who currently is a social worker in the school system and is a team leader and mentor for other social workers. In addition, Williams serves the community in an after-school program where they teach everything from computer and business, to life skills and self-esteem.
The final Humanitarian Award in the category of fireman was presented to Bob Westerman, Kaua‘i’s fire chief. Dave Walker, president of the Rotary Club of West Kaua‘i, noted that Westerman received statewide kudos for his efforts in the Kaloko Reservoir Dam breach tragedy.
As he received his $500 check, Westerman immediately turned and gifted his monies to Mary Navarro and Anela Patterson from Hale ‘Opio, which provides in-community programs for children, youth and families.
