LIHU‘E — American Red Cross and community volunteers attended the Saturday Hats Off fundraiser, which benefited the American Red Cross. The event took place at three locations around the island, including Foodland in Princeville, Times Big Save in Koloa and
LIHU‘E — American Red Cross and community volunteers attended the Saturday Hats Off fundraiser, which benefited the American Red Cross. The event took place at three locations around the island, including Foodland in Princeville, Times Big Save in Koloa and Walmart in Lihu‘e.
“We had an amazing turnout of volunteers from the Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort, the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa, the St. Regis Princeville resort, the Cub Scouts from Pack 148, who made signs, the North Shore Lions Club, the G.N. Wilcox Memorial Hospital, Kaua‘i Police Department recruits, and of course, our Red Cross disaster volunteers,” said Keri Russell, the Kaua‘i county director for the American Red Cross, Hawai‘i State Chapter. “The community was generous with their donations, bringing in close to $6,000.”
Russell said the exact amount raised will take several days because the O‘ahu offices will tally the collections and produce an official result of fundraising efforts throughout the state.
Coming off a partner agency training last Saturday at the Church of the Pacific, the Red Cross volunteers manned their stations with specially-designed collection helmets, the Cub Scouts opting to use their own caps instead of the helmets.
The Kaua‘i collection coincided with the Hawai‘i State Chapter of the American Red Cross with collection sites established on Hawai‘i County, Maui, O‘ahu and Kaua‘i.
“In Hawai‘i, we respond to disaster about every four days, providing emergency assistance and emotional support to victims of everyday disasters like house fires and floods,” said Coralie Chun Matayoshi, CEO of American Red Cross, Hawai‘i State Chapter, on the Red Cross website. “We also need to be prepared for major disasters like the recent tsunami scares, which could have devastated our islands. We are not a government agency and rely on donations from the people of Hawai‘i to provide these critical services to our community.”
In addition to responding to disaster victims, the American Red Cross, Hawai‘i State Chapter, helps prepare families and businesses for disasters, teach lifesaving skills to 20,000 people a year and provide emergency communications for military service members and their families, Matayoshi said.
“The funds raised will benefit Kaua‘i’s disaster relief efforts, community education on disaster preparedness and to train new disaster volunteers for Kaua‘i,” Russell said. “It was good fun for all.”
The statewide effort was made possible due to efforts from Aloha Air Cargo, American Savings Bank, Hawaiian Isles Water Co., Sam’s Club, Walmart and Subway.
On Kaua‘i, Russell said the Hats Off effort got help from the Times Big Save in Koloa, Walmart, Foodland in Princeville, the Kaua‘i Red Cross advisory council and the KQNG Radio Group.
Russell said the Red Cross, Kaua‘i Chapter is actively seeking additional disaster volunteers and anyone who is interested can call 245-4919.
For those who wish to contribute to the American Red Cross, visit the website www.redcross.org for more information.
