Bayada joins Uptown Kitchen and Dazzle to unfold vacation cheer on Maui kupuna: Maui Now

For the third year in a row, Bayada Home Health Care partnered with Uptown Kitchen to bring hot meals and household supplies to residents of Hale Mahaolu and Lokenani Hale, Maui.

Deliveries on December 9 included a plate of shoyu chicken, rice and mac salad, and a bag of toiletries, sanitizer, masks and snacks.

The items were donated and supported by Gabe Givnish, Director of the Bayada Medicare Certified Office, and coordinated with the help of housing administrators Mahealani Goo and Deborrah Miguel.

“Lots of people called to reserve a plate to make sure they got one, but for one resident of Hale Mahaolu Ekolu, Lucy Turquio, she was excitedly awaiting the return of cheerful clinicians who would help her, her loved ones a little less to be missed,” the organizers said.

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For Turquio, Christmas encompasses Filipino cultural traditions like misa de gallo, delicious food, family togetherness, and carols.

She moved to Maui in 1986 36 years ago. December 22, 2022 marks the 48th wedding anniversary she would have celebrated with her late husband.

Turquio fondly remembers traveling with the choir and music ministry from her young age as the best times in her life and said the holidays make her miss her family and friends so much as many have already passed away, according to organizers.

Hearing the Christmas music approaching on Friday night, Turquio made sure to set up a chair on her doorstep so she could greet the star singers and request just one special song — her favorite song, “O Holy Night.”

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Organizers say Turquio waited patiently as the group of 40 made their way through the community. When the crew returned, Melissa Perricelli-Goueytes, director of the Maui Home Care office, began planning an instrumental of the song they wanted.

Wrapped in song, Turquio wept. “There aren’t enough words and I couldn’t place them even if I tried,” she said.

Marketing Manager, Charo Lata, Mrs. Turquio and Client Services Manager, Heidi Acosta

Client Services Manager Heidi Acosta, who helped organize the event, said moments like this make Christmas real. She recalled standing on the doorstep of another resident the year before and seeing the joy in her eyes.

“Keeping in touch with these faces – some of whom are our patients – is what Christmas and our kuleana to our kupuna is really about. I promised one of our longtime Bayada friends who is no longer with us that we won’t forget to stop by for Christmas. In doing so, I am delivering on that promise,” said Acosta.

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Bayada Home Health Care dedicates its efforts and “Christmas for Kupuna 2022” to the loving memory of her friend Jojo.

The event was made possible through a coordinated effort by Bayada Home Health Care (including the Medicare Certified Office and the Maui Home Care Office), Uptown Kitchen and – new this year – Dazzle Entertainment LLC. Dazzle owner Adelle Lennox also sent two worker elves to help with food deliveries this year.

“Manager Alvin Miyamoto and his Uptown Kitchen team have graciously supported us without hesitation in adding a second community this year; Because of this, it helps us focus on making sure we are providing our Dwellers with the materials they need. We are so grateful for their partnership,” Bayada administrators said.

Team makes deliveries.