Kristen deBlasi, Maui Humane Society community outreach coordinator, has donated up to $15,000 in inheritence money for the 4EverPets program, whose goal is to keep pets and owners together. DeBlasi lost three grandparents in April to COVID-19-related complications. — Maui Humane Society photo

Kristen deBlasi lost three grandparents to COVID-19 in a 10-day span in April.

After finding out that she had some inheritance money coming, deBlasi couldn’t think of a better way to honor her deceased loved ones than to donate up to $15,000 to the Maui Humane Society, where she started as a volunteer two years ago and as an employee since March. 

In June, she moved up from animal care attendant to outreach and education coordinator.

DeBlasi will match public donations up to $15,000 for 4EverPets, a new program she coordinates for the Humane Society. The 4EverPets program’s goal is to keep people and their pets together. It was developed as a response to the financial impact of COVID-19 on local pet owners.

“When my parents let me know that my grandparents left me that money and we also were in the process of starting this program, I wanted to do something to honor their memory,” deBlasi said Friday. “And to help people also struggling with COVID and with losing their jobs and not having the resources to help their pets. . . . It seemed like a good way to honor their memory.”

Maryann and Gerard deBlasi, 80 and 91 respectively, died of COVID-19 complications on the East Coast in April. Their granddaughter, Kristen deBlasi, has set aside some inheritence money to support the 4EverPets program at the Maui Humane Society in their honor. — Photo courtesy of Kristen deBlasi

Maryann deBlasi, 80, and Gerard deBlasi, 91, and Florence Bartus, 78, all died from COVID-19 complications within a 10-day span in April in the New York-New Jersey area.

“I see a lot of people out and about without masks on, and they just don’t seem to be taking it as seriously, and it’s real,” deBlasi said. “It kills people. I wish they would take it as serious as it really is because they could save somebody’s life.”

DeBlasi said she is doing “OK” with the personal loss, especially since “several of my aunts also got sick, and my father (also named Gerard) and one of my aunts were taking care of my grandfather for a while when he was sick. Then, they were in quarantine for a period of time, so we were concerned about their health and safety, but all of my aunts and my father are OK, and they’ve recovered.” 

DeBlasi said she is hopeful her donation will be more than matched.

“That would be amazing,” she said. 

Florence Bartus is shown holding her grandson, Gerard deBlasi. Bartus, 78, died of COVID-19 complications and was one of three grandparents of Maui resident Kristen deBlasi to die in April of virus complications. — Photo courtesy of Kristen deBlasi

Nikki Russell admits she “stole” deBlasi from the animal care department when Russell moved up to community outreach director from outreach and education coordinator.

“I wanted to point out that Kristen doesn’t speak enough about herself,” Russell said. “She and her partner have been foster parents, active foster parents, vital foster parents for over two years. The only time they don’t have multiple kittens at their house is when they are actively traveling. So, they are an integral part of the foster program.”

Russell was foster coordinator at the time, “and we kind of found a friendship. I encouraged her to apply for the animal care division — she was a rock star. Then when I took this position as director, I will admit that I stole her from animal care and brought her on as outreach coordinator because her passion to help animals and people has been unbelievable and matches mine. 

“She very accurately reflects my feelings about wanting to help everybody that we possibly can.”

Russell said in a news release that the 4EverPets program arrived just when needed.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, we’ve seen an increased demand for pet food and resources,” she said. “It was clear that we needed to shift our focus to helping our community beyond the shelter. 4EverPets has been actively assisting at the Waiale Park emergency shelter for COVID-related displaced families and handed out over 3,000 (pounds) of food throughout the island.”

The program has evolved quickly with the help of emergency COVID-relief grants from PetSmart Charities and Petco Foundation, the news release said.

Donations can be made specifically for the program through www.mauihumanesociety.org and clicking on 4EverPets or directly through https://bit.ly/2CWXmbO.

Donations of food and supplies can be dropped off at Maui Humane Society with a note that indicates it’s for 4EverPets. To sign up for and to receive assistance, visit the Maui Humane Society website and click on 4EverPets on the home page or call/text (808) 495-6242. 

“We remind people to be pono, do what is right and be conscientious about participating. Our food supply is limited and demand is great, please allow those who need it most to benefit,” Russell said.

* Robert Collias can be reached at rcollias@mauinews.com.