Islands Hospice CNA Karey DeMello named May Makana Pono Awardee
Posted on June 8, 2022
Makana Pono: Employee Giving Program
Karey DeMello
CNA/Hospice Aide, Kapolei
Organization: Special Olympics Hawaii
Left to Right: Mark Imaizumi, Tracey Bender (SO Hawaii); Aaron Simpliciano; Dan Epstein (SO Hawaii); Karey DeMello (Makana Pono awardee); Lurline Liu; Patricia Paton; Chaplain Patrick Rooney.
Kary DeMello has worked with Islands Hospice for nine years, providing compassionate personal care to patients and support to their families. Often out on the westside, Kary lends a listening ear and offers helpful tips and techniques when needed to make personal care go as smoothly as possible. “Keeping our patients comfortable and happy is truly important.”
Kary DeMello has worked with Islands Hospice for nine years, providing compassionate personal care to patients and support to their families. Often out on the westside, Kary lends a listening ear and offers helpful tips and techniques when needed to make personal care go as smoothly as possibly. "Keeping our patients comfortable and happy is truly important."
Kary was selected for Makana Pono for her years of service to Islands Hospice and her positive attitude. She approaches work and life with a go-getter attitude and doesn’t let the bad days get her down for too long. “Ten toes down and keep pressing forward. Just because it’s a bad day doesn’t mean it’s a bad life,” said Kary.
A few years ago, Kary’s sister, a police officer for the City and County of Honolulu, asked her family to help her with an event called Cop on Top for the Special Olympics. The event raises funds so that athletes of the Special Olympics can participate in sporting events and other activities throughout the year. Kary jumped at the opportunity to be a part of it, and now looks forward to volunteering for the event every year. Being a part of this experience inspired Kary to select Special Olympics Hawaii for her Makana Pono gift.
“It truly is an eye-opening experience, and you cannot help but feel overjoyed and blessed to be a part of such a great cause,” Kary explained. “To see the smiles on their faces and feel the happiness in their hearts is everything.”
Special Olympics Hawai’i uses sports, health, education and leadership programs to help end discrimination against and empower people with intellectual disabilities.
Visit SOhawaii.org to learn more and get involved!