HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0126.000 2014-2016Margaret Wille
Council Member
District 9 - North and South Kohala
Hawaii County Building
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawai `i
Holomua Center
64-1067 Mamalahoa Highway, Suite C-5
Waimea, Hawaii 96743
To: Dru Mamo Kanuha
Hawaii County Council Members
From: Margaret Wille, Council Member
Date: Feb. 12, 2015
Subject: Notification of Certificate Presentation
March 4t", 2015 at the Hilo Council Meeting
Phone No. Hilo: (808) 961-8027
Phone No. Waimea: (808) 887-2043
Fax No.: (808) 887-2072
E -Mail: mwille@co.hawaii.hi.us
West Hawaii Civic Center Bldg.: I
74-5044 Ane Keohokalole llwv.
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii , 96710
This is notification that I am sponsoring a certificate of recognition. We will be presenting this
certificate at the scheduled March 4t", 2015 Hawai'i County Council meeting. The Certificate of
Recognition will be presented to Nani Bogline representing Syd Singer and Soma Grismaijer for
their outstanding achievements and contributions within the Community. We will need (15)
minutes for our presentation.
If you have any concerns, please call or email my office.
Thank you,
MW/ds
Serving the Interests of the People of Our Island
Hawai `i County Is An Equal Opportunity Provider And Employer
Comm.N ) Z�o
Ref. To: __._.
Ref. Date FFR 0 1 2015
�,���Y OF
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The ',nA[bjail Countp Council
hereby presents this certificate to
Syd Singer and Soma Grismayer
FOR EXCEPTIONAL COMMUNITY SERVICE ...
Syd Singer and Soma Grismaijer founded the Good. Shepherd Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to
human, animal and environmental protection. In 1992, due to their concern about animals who may need
evacuation due to smoke, lava, or the inability of their evacuating owners to care for them they established
an animal sanctuary in Opihikao, in lower Puna, within the zone impacted by the June 27, 2014 lava flow.
To help people find temporary homes for their animals they began a Hawaii Evacuation of Livestock and
Pets (H.E.L.P.) Program, creating the website HelpPuna.org to connect people in need with others outside
the lava zone who can offer animals sanctuary.
HelpPuna.org soon expanded to become a place where people can request or offer housing for displaced
and evacuation residents, create carpools and boat pools for those staying within the lava zone, and register
their products and service in a Puna People Directory for the convenience of others in the zone that need
products and services nearby.
They also partnered with Hawaiian Airlines to obtain affordable fares to assist people in evacuating their
pets to other islands or the Mainland. They are 'dedicated to ensure that people care for their pets during
this emergency, and that no animals are left behind in the lava zone'.
This is just one of their endeavors in a long list of activities not mentioned, but epitomizes a willingness
to volunteer time and talents with exceptional results. Syd Singer and Soma Grismaijer exemplify how
individuals can make a difference by way of focused intent, perseverance, caring and vision.
The Hawaii County Council extends its appreciation for a job well done and hopes that this community
effort will be an inspiration and serve as an example for others +^ n, 'kvn�n
countp of Aawaii
Certificate No. #4757
Dated this 3rd day of March, 2015
Hilo, Hawaii