I was invited to join some friends at the Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island Youth of the Year dinner. The Boys & Girls Club offers children throughout Hawaii Island a fun, safe and supervised place after school to be engaged, to learn and to grow. They offer daily homework support, enrichment and wellness programming, recreational physical activity, out-of-school educational classes, and daily nutritional supplementation. Did you know they offer all this for only $10 a year?
The event showcased performances by youth and also had silent and live auctions and the honoring of outstanding supporters.
Youth of the Year
One of the highlights of the evening was hearing from Kiana Kaneshiro, a mature and well-spoken Hilo High freshman who shared her dreams and stories and her journey to being a member of the BGCBI. She was selected based on her leadership, academic achievement and community service. She received an academic scholarship and will represent Hawaiʻi Island in the state competition at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol and possibly have the chance to compete at the national level to earn additional scholarships and possibly visit the White House.
Former Hawaiʻi County Mayor Billy Kenoi and recently retired Hawaii Electric Light Company President Jay Ignacio were recognized for their work and efforts in enriching the lives of our island youth through their support of the programs at BGCBI that include the Meal Supplementation Program, which provides daily healthy meals or snacks to youth members.
If you want to know more about the Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island, just reach out to them at (808) 961-5536. They are always looking for support through volunteers and donations. We are all partners in providing opportunities for Big Island youth and building great futures for them. Living Hilo Style.
Living Hilo Style 