Ewa Beach Keiki Raises $$ For Pets

Isabel Porcello, 6, recently organized a pet-supply drive to benefit the Hawaiian Humane Society. Photo from Steven Porcello.

She may be only 6 years old, but Isabel Porcello of Ewa Beach recently held her first pet supply drive.

“She’s my little activist at 6,” said her father, Steven Porcello.

Isabel’s Pet Drive, held June 14-28, sought monetary donations and items for pets to benefit the Hawaiian Humane Society.

“She actually came to me with an idea of wanting to invent a charity,” shared her mother, Lourdes deArmas. “She wanted to invent a charity to help animals.” deArmas, a property manager with Hawaiiana Management Company Ltd., and Porcello, a project manager with Honolulu Builders, teamed up with their companies to bring in donations. Isabel helped draw the promotional posters that were distributed, and also decorated collection boxes, among other tasks.

“It was a lot of work, and she did her part, for sure,” said deArmas.

The results produced approximately $2,200 in cash and close to 300 individual pet items.

“Every cent of it went to the Humane Society,” said Porcello.

Isabel’s love for animals began at an early age. In addition to family pets, she also enjoyed spending time with animals at fairs.

“As far back as I remember, she would go to the petting zoo and just pick up a chick,” Porcello recalled.

Though it’s too early to tell if Isabel will be pursuing her love of animals as a professional career (according to Dad, she is caught between wanting to be a veterinarian or fashion designer in Paris), she already has her next project lined up.

“She wants to work on planting trees in urban areas as homes for birds,” said Porcello.

Formerly a student at Holomua Elementary School, Isabel will attend Island Pacific Academy next year as a second-grader.

“I’m actually very humbled and honored to be her mom, and to be able to support her and believe in her dreams. It’s just an amazing experience,” shared deArmas.

“It was a lot of work, but it was a lot of fun putting it together, and I can’t wait to see what