Sylvia Mayon - President & Andrew Mayon - VP

Meet Sylvia & Andrew Mayon - Founder & VP

Being a voice for those who can't speak is my passion.

Sylvia was born in Germany and her family immigrated to Wisconsin in 1968. At the age of 7, her mother unexpectedly abandoned her family and left the U.S....deciding to return to her native Germany, leaving behind her husband, daughter and son. Since Sylvia's dad was young and working 3 jobs he thought it would be best for Sylvia to live with a foster family while he took care of her brother and tried to build a life for them in the US. This traumatic event greatly affected Sylvia, and allowed her to understand first hand, what abandonment feels like. So, Sylvia can identify with neglected and rejected animals which is why she feels it is her purpose in life to help them.

Sylvia moved to Maui, Hawaii in 1998 to be with her now husband Andrew, whom she met online. In 1999, Sylvia rescued her first dog from the Maui Humane Society, an abandoned puppy from Upcountry Kula. She had never had an animal growing up. After picking up their little Furever Friend, they were searching for a name for him. One evening after dinner, they walked the pup down to their favorite ice cream shop, Lappert's, in Kihei. Their new pup's fur matched the color of her favorite ice cream flavor, "Kona Coffee," which became the origin of Kona's name. It was Kona who taught Sylvia the incredible power of a dog's unconditional love. Kona would become her shadow and best friend (photo on the right). They also have a rescue cat from Maui named "Kekoa" (Hawaiian translation: "Brave") who turned 17 in 2012.

After moving to Greensboro, NC, she and her husband, Andrew, adopted their second rescue dog, "Zeus," who was found in an abandoned crack house. Kona and Zeus became best friends and spent hours playing and sleeping together. In May 2007 they welcomed into the world their son Ethan. On June 23, 2010, the day Susie's Law was enacted in the state of North Carolina, Kona was called suddenly to the "Rainbow Bridge," which devastated the Mayons (especially Sylvia as her shadow was gone). In September of 2010, Kona sent Sylvia an angel, playmate and companion for Zeus. So, "Wrigley," another rescue joined their family. Adopted in 2013, "Makena" is their youngest. A pit mix, she was an 11th hour rescue off Death Row. She is the official "mascot" of BTCKK as her image is prominently featured in our logo. With much sadness, Zeus was called to the Rainbow Bridge in March 2019 to join Kona, but he sent our family a new angel, “Kalani,” (Hawaiian for “Heaven Sent”) who was a stray found in Madison, NC.

Sylvia & Andrew have been involved in helping a local rescue group save animals off death row. Sylvia has served as their Director of Fundraising. They also donate alot of their time maintaining the rescue's Facebook page and Website as well as doing alot of their graphic design work. One of the many ways Sylvia helps raise money was creating and publishing a cookbook with the help of animal lovers in the community titled "Recipes for Rescues," which was featured by Julie Luck of Fox8 News in one of her "Inspired Living" segments. She also started making animal rescue bracelets and that is how the vision for "Gifts 2 Help Rescues" was born.

By day, Andrew is a financial advisor with Edward Jones as well as a professional Architectural Photographer (together they own Triad Real Estate Photography). They have a 12 year old son, Ethan who is currently in the seventh grade. As a family they enjoy traveling, exploring new foods/restaurants, giving back to the community, gardening...just to name a few.