FIRE IN PARADISE: HOW YOU CAN HELP THE PEOPLE OF MAUI
Help Maui Fire Victims: Here’s How You Can Donate https://www.civilbeat.org/2023/08/help-maui-fire-victims-heres-how-you-can-donate/
Well folks, it looks like Mother Nature has dealt another blow to our beautiful island paradise. The recent wildfires that tore through Lahaina and Kula have left at least 55 dead and over 2000 seeking shelter in emergency shelters. It's a tragedy that hits close to home for many of us, but fear not, because there are plenty of ways that you can help.
First up, we have the Hawaii Community Foundation Maui Strong fund. This organization is dedicated to providing support to those affected by the fires, and they're accepting donations from anyone who wants to pitch in. So if you've got a few extra bucks burning a hole in your pocket (pun intended), consider donating to this worthy cause.
Next on the list is the Maui Food Bank. As you can imagine, the fires have left many families without access to food, and the Maui Food Bank is working hard to make sure that nobody goes hungry. They're accepting donations of both food and money, so if you're feeling generous, consider giving them a helping hand.
If you're looking for a more general way to help out, then look no further than the Maui United Way. This organization is dedicated to improving the lives of those in need across the island, and they're currently focusing their efforts on helping those affected by the wildfires. They're accepting donations of all kinds, so whether you want to give money, time, or resources, there's a way for you to get involved.
Of course, we can't forget about the Salvation Army Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Division. This organization has been helping those in need across Hawaii for decades, and they're currently on the front lines of the wildfire relief efforts. They're accepting donations of all kinds, so if you want to help out in any way you can, consider giving them a call.
If you're looking for a way to support education on the island, then look no further than the Public Schools of Hawaii Foundation. This organization is dedicated to improving education for students across the state, and they're currently working hard to help schools affected by the wildfires get back on their feet. They're accepting donations of all kinds, so whether you want to give money or resources, there's a way for you to help out.
For those who want to support Native Hawaiian communities affected by the wildfires, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement is a great option. This organization is dedicated to improving the lives of Native Hawaiians across the state, and they're currently focusing their efforts on helping those affected by the fires. They're accepting donations of all kinds, so if you want to help out in any way you can, consider giving them a shout.
For animal lovers out there, the Maui Humane Society is a great option. This organization is dedicated to rescuing and caring for animals across the island, and they're currently working hard to help animals affected by the wildfires. They're accepting donations of all kinds, so whether you want to give money or resources, there's a way for you to help out our furry friends.
Last but not least, we have World Central Kitchen and the River of Life Mission. These organizations are dedicated to providing food and resources to those in need across the state, and they're currently focusing their efforts on helping those affected by the wildfires. They're accepting donations of all kinds, so if you want to help out in any way you can, consider giving them a hand.
Now, before you go rushing off to donate your hard-earned cash, it's important to remember that not all organizations are created equal. The state Attorney General's office has urged residents to use caution when choosing where to send their money and donations. There are plenty of scammers out there looking to take advantage of our generosity, so be sure to do your research before giving anything away.
In conclusion, folks, it's times like these when we need to come together as a community and lend a helping hand. Whether you're donating money, time, or resources, every little bit helps. So let's show our aloha spirit and do what we can to help those affected by these devastating wildfires.
Help Maui Fire Victims: Here’s How You Can Donate https://www.civilbeat.org/2023/08/help-maui-fire-victims-heres-how-you-can-donate/
Cash Donations For Maui Fire Victims
Here are some organizations accepting donations for emergency efforts. Links attached to the organization names below will take you directly to donation checkout pages.
- Hawaii Community Foundation Maui Strong fund: Focusing on rapid response and working with local nonprofits to understand community needs. More details.
- Maui Food Bank: Collecting and distributing food to help the hungry in Maui County. More details.
- Maui United Way: Providing direct relief to families and nonprofits. More details.
- The Salvation Army Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Division: Providing food and resources for evacuees. More details.
- Public Schools of Hawaii Foundation: Partnering with the state Department of Education to support school communities in West Maui through Oct. 1. More details.
- Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement: Matching up to $1 million in donations for Maui fire victims as of Thursday night. More details.
- Maui Humane Society: Supporting shelters for displaced people and animals, and caring for injured animals. Emergency fosters also sought. More details.
- World Central Kitchen: Providing meals to people in need by partnering with local organizations. More details.
- River of Life Mission: Providing coffee and stuffed animals to shelters. More details.
Avoid Scams
The state Attorney General’s office urged residents to use caution when choosing where to send their money and donations.
“I know that the people of Hawaii will come to the aid of our families, neighbors and communities,” says Attorney General Lopez. “We are already seeing various fundraising efforts being promoted on social media platforms and online. In moments of crisis, we all must be extra vigilant against bad actors who try to take advantage of people’s goodwill.”
Before making a donation, the AG advised in a news release Wednesday to keep following tips in mind:
- Donate to trusted, well-known charities. Beware of scammers who create fake charities during natural disasters. Always verify a charity’s legitimacy through its official website. If someone is fundraising on behalf of a charity you are familiar with, the best practice is to donate directly to that charity.
- Verify that the charity is legitimate. Any charity that solicits donation in Hawaii must be registered with the Department of the Attorney General, and its status can be verified here. There are also a number of independent online sources you can use to verify that a charity is legitimate, including the following:
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search: https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/
- Charity Navigator: https://www.charitynavigator.org/
- DCCA Business Search: https://hbe.ehawaii.gov/documents/search.html
- Stay away from suspicious donation requests and be mindful of the following scammer’s tactics:
- Rushing you into making a donation. Don’t let anyone rush you into making a donation. Take your time to do your research.
- Asking you to make a donation using cash or gift card. Most legitimate charities will accept credit card and check donations.
- Using names that sound a lot like the names of real charities. This is one reason it pays to do some research before giving.
- Scammers make lots of vague and sentimental claims but give no specifics about how your donation will be used.
If you know of a trusted nonprofit serving fire victims that isn’t on this list, drop it in the box below and we’ll take a look as soon as we’re able. Mahalo in advance for your patience — we’ve been busy around here.
Help Maui Fire Victims: Here’s How You Can Donate https://www.civilbeat.org/2023/08/help-maui-fire-victims-heres-how-you-can-donate/
