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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT AUDREY GOH Next Step Shelter & Hawaii Meals on Wheels Audrey Goh, the director of housekeeping at Halekulani, has been a Hawaii Chapter member for more than 20 years. Despite her hectic work schedule at one of the premier hotels and resorts in Waikiki, Goh makes the time to perform community service around the neighborhood. Together with volunteers from the Halekulani, they provide hot dinners to the Next Step Shelter in Kakaako once a month. The hotel also brings a full sheet birthday cake to celebrate shelter residents’ birthdays, complete with candles and everyone singing ‘Happy Birthday.’ On Oct. 19, Goh and Hong Dang, Hao Tanacsos’s (HAOskeeping, Inc.) sister, went to the shelter for a gratifying night of volunteer work. In conjunction with the free dinner, Dang gave residents free haircuts on a first-come, first-serve basis. This was her second “mobile beauty salon” visit to the shelter. Seven clients comprised of both men and women were given fresh updated looks during Goh and Dang’s visit. As Dang trimmed and buzzed hair away, Goh quickly swept the floor of fallen locks -- “being a great assistant,” she jokes. Each customer was so elated that during dinner most of them kept touching their new hairdo and constantly thanked Dang and Goh for doing “such a wonderful job.” “I wanted to do something nice for others after I finished beauty school,” says Dang. “So I asked my sister if she could help me ... she introduced me to Audrey, so now I’m doing this!” Dang also says, “It makes me feel so good to do this (give free haircuts), especially when they tell me they have a job interview tomorrow or a special event to go to.” Although Goh and Dang did not grow up together, they were taught the same values about helping others. Both say that their parents encouraged them to “give back to your community” every chance you get. Audrey Goh and Hong Dang are all smiles after a fulfilling evening of community service. In addition to working with the Next Step Shelter, Goh also volunteers for the Hawaii Meals on Wheels program, and has done so twice a month for the past nine years. Since her mother’s passing in 2000, Goh honors her mother’s memory by helping members of the community that cannot always help themselves. “My mother taught me to always be thankful for what I have,” she says. Goh explains she got involved with Hawaii Meals on Wheels after she saw a MidWeek ad looking for volunteers to distribute meals to elderly and disabled individuals. She visits between four to six people in the Waikiki/Kapiolani area every other Tuesday using her own vehicle to deliver the food. Goh even drops off magazines or newspapers with the hot meals so clients have something to read. According to its website, Hawaii Meals on Wheels is a private nonprofit organization dedicated to helping Oahu’s elders and individuals with diabilities preserve their independence at home. Volunteers like Goh provide regular personal interaction when they bring clients these nutritious meals. HMoW serves more than 200 hot lunches or dinners islandwide Monday through Friday and on weekday holidays. All of the meals are delivered hot and conform to dietary restrictions based on each individual’s medical condition(s) or history. When asked how can others become motivated as she is, Goh replies, “This (volunteering) comes from the heart. You must have the heart to want to do it. “It’s always fulfiling to me to make a difference and touch someone’s life who may be less fortunate than we are,” says Goh. “I count my blessings ... always.” For more information on how to volunteer as a meal delivery driver, please contact Hawaii Meals on Wheels Volunteer Coordinator Gail Yuen at 988-6747 or visit www. hmow.org. If you know an <strong>IEHA</strong> - Hawaii Chapter member who does outstanding things for others in our community, please let us know! We would like to feature them in our next newsletter. Please e-mail Elaine Terry at elaine@<strong>hawaii</strong>-<strong>ieha</strong>.org or Shelly Awaya at shelly@<strong>hawaii</strong>-<strong>ieha</strong>.org for more information. <strong>IEHA</strong> <strong>QUARTERLY</strong> - November 2009 | PAGE 5