Sash and service go hand in hand for Camille Yano, president and founding member of the Hawaii chapter of Echelon. A former Cherry Blossom Queen contestant, Camille has been competing in pageants for a few years now and has just completed her reign as Miss Asia Hawaii 2019, 2020 and 2021. She also currently holds the title of Ms. Hawaii International 2022.  

Camille has served with Echelon for approximately eight years. She served on the Echelon Leadership Council for two years before deciding to step down in 2021 to help start Echelon West Oahu, the second chapter in Hawaii. With an unconventional approach to her search for members, she focuses on sponsorships and unique meetings that are inspired by her time in pageants. 

“My vision is a bit out there. When you go into a pageant, you have sponsors. Why not bring that to Echelon?” Camille said. “I want to show the team that it’s nice to have someone supporting us.” 

Camille’s pageant experience uniquely inspires her dedication to community service, and she looks forward to the upcoming service and future with Echelon. To stay up to date with the chapter, follow @EchelonWestOahu on Instagram.

By Bianca Rossell-Nunez, Social Media Coordinator

Canines 4 Christ Bring Emotional Support

One nonprofit is partnering with The Salvation Army and using the power of puppy love to bring emotional relief to survivors of Hurricane Ian. This past October, a Golden Labrador Retriever named Dunkin (@dunkinlovin) toured around homes near Fort Myers Beach where survivors of Hurricane Ian were cleaning out the first floor of condos that were inundated by 3-4 feet of storm surge.

Tina Reeder, Dunkin’s handler, and an ordained chaplain with Canines 4 Christ, says the adorable Golden Lab went through extensive training to be certified as a crisis response therapy dog through the American Kennel Club. “The mission of Canines 4 Christ is to share the love of Jesus Christ in times of despair through the dog. People stop and pet the dog, and it gives us an opportunity to talk and pray with them,” said Reeder. 

To read the full story by Eric Short, click here!

Home Town Spruce

Ben and Erin Napier, hosts of the HGTV show, “Home Town,” and owners of various businesses in their town of Laurel, MS, keep giving back to their community. Earlier this year, the couple helped renovate their local Salvation Army shelter for women and children in Laurel. 

Ben and Erin Napier partnered with The Salvation Army in 2021 to volunteer and serve meals during the Christmas Red Kettle campaign. They are official ambassadors for the 2022 Red Kettle campaign.  

Along with their team, the Napiers were able to spruce up rooms at their local Salvation Army shelter using donated items and fresh paint. “We wanted to make a dorm into a soft landing for women and children who find themselves in need of shelter,” Erin wrote under her post on social media. “Our shelter in Laurel served 33,428 meals in 2021 alone.” 

To learn how you can help in your community during the Christmas season, visit salvationarmyusa.org. 

Love Beyond

Carlos and Alexa PenaVega, as friends of The Salvation Army this Red Kettle season, partnered with The Salvation Army in Port Charlotte, FL earlier this year to help deliver food to those impacted by Hurricane Ian. 

The authors of “Love Is The Point” assisted the Emergency Disaster Services team in Florida and helped pass out 7,000 meals.  

The PenaVegas previously partnered with The Salvation Army in 2020 and are now partnering with The Salvation Army this Red Kettle season to show families in need that love exists beyond the most difficult situations. They join Ben and Erin Napier, the official ambassadors for the Red Kettle season, to bring hope and love to those in need.  

To learn more about how you can help The Salvation Army this season, visit salvationarmy.org.