Congratulations to the Community Champion Award winner

The Community Champion Award by Mom’s Meals^® and USAging recognized Cary Valdez from the Maui County Office of Aging.

The award was announced by John Phillips, vice president of national program development at Mom’s Meals on July 18, 2026, at the USAging Annual Conference in San Diego, California. 

Rowena Dagdag-Andaya, county executive for the Maui County Office of Aging in Wailuku, Hawaii, nominated Cary. Rowena shared that Cary is dedicated to making sure some of the most vulnerable members of her community are connected to essential services to maintain their health, independence and quality of life. “Cary has built a legacy of service over three decades that continues to positively impact hundreds of individuals and families each year. She demonstrates an extraordinary level of dedication, compassion and commitment to the well-being of Maui’s older adults, or kupuna."

Rowena adds that Cary is not only a dedicated public servant — she is a lifeline to the community she so deeply cares about. Her work during the 2023 Lahaina wildfires is just one example of the difference she makes in the most difficult of times. “Whether she is on the phone assisting a family member, counseling a walk-in client, or conducting home visits in the community, Cary exemplifies what it means to serve with heart. Her unwavering commitment, responsiveness in times of crisis and ability to connect people with life-changing resources truly set her apart.”

About the award

Six years ago, the Community Champion Award was founded to recognize case managers.

The Community Champion Award program is designed to:

• Highlight outstanding achievements by Area Agency on Aging and Title VI Native American Aging Program case managers in the areas of nutrition, health and healthy lifestyles
• Celebrate case managers who are doing outstanding work in their local communities
• Underscore the value of the case manager’s role in supporting the whole health of our communities
• Promote awareness of the importance of nutrition in overall health, particularly to reduce the impact of social determinants, to support individuals who want to age in their homes, and to support the management of chronic conditions

Congratulations again to Cary and to all the nominees!

Want to learn more?

Discover more about the Community Champion Award as well as more on this year’s winner, past winners and case manager nomination information.