Mark and Debi Rolfing were recognized during the “Caring For The Children” benefit hosted by The Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of Maui.

WAILUKU – Alan M. Arakawa, mayor of the County of Maui, proclaimed Oct. 19, 2012 as “Mark and Debi Rolfing Day.”

This honor for the West Maui residents came during the sixth annual “Caring For The Children” benefit hosted by The Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of Maui.

The mayor’s proclamation accompanied a special message from Gov. Neil Abercrombie (on behalf of the people of the State of Hawaii) commending the couple for their lifelong dedication, generosity and commitment to the Maui community.

Arakawa noted that The Mark and Debi Rolfing Charitable Foundation has been a generous benefactor of The Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of Maui, including years of support helping with their fundraisers, generous grants to foster children services by Child Welfare Services and the Hanai Coalition, and through participation in the Hyundai Tournament of Champions.

The couple has “generously given back to their community in time, talent and treasure,” the mayor said, adding that he’s “grateful for the gifts that The Mark and Debi Rolfing Charitable Foundation have given to the community.”

Arakawa encouraged all citizens to support community agencies in their efforts to educate everyone about child abuse and neglect, as well as its prevention.

Gov. Abercrombie stated, “The Mark and Debi Rolfing Charitable Foundation has been instrumental in supporting the mission of The Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of Maui in providing programs that assist abused and neglected children. Beyond their financial contributions, which continue to aid the agency and numerous programs it operates, both Debi and Mark also serve as volunteer licensed foster parents by providing care for newborn babies until they can be reunified with their birth parents or placed with adoptive parents.”

The governor went on to say, “You are truly incredible individuals that touch the lives of so many children and the youth of Maui County. You are truly an inspiration to us all and true pillars of the community.”

Debi and Mark have made Kapalua their home for over 36 years, providing a safe home for Maui’s most vulnerable newborns for the past 14 years.

Many of the babies enter their home medically and sometimes critically fragile, and they are lovingly nursed back to life in their arms.