A red cross volunteer shows us how we can support those impacted by the Maui fire
An American red cross volunteer came to the desert to walk us through supporting the people in Maui.
Fire devastation on Maui is causing people to lose family members and all their belongings as homes are burned to the ground.
Susan Tovey says she has been volunteering for fourteen years and has never seen devastation like the fire in Maui.
News Channel 3: How can locals in the desert help people impacted by the Hawaiian wildfires?
Susan Tovey: They can help us a lot. If if they go to redcross.org, they can donate money to the Red Cross. And what that does is it allows us to open these shelters and to give them a safe place to stay. While they're going through this situation. We have food for them to eat. And it's, you know, we have emotional support people there. So we have our mental health, our health services, our spiritual care, which is nondenominational; they're all there to talk to them. Because going through something like this is so emotional, and a lot of people don't know how to handle it.
There is a dropdown option on the site to support Hawaii Wildfires specifically. See the picture below where it says "I Want to Support"
She says several shelters are in place to support Maui residents who lost their homes. At this moment, they are not seeking blankets and pillows; they are focused on being able to provide shelter and food. A local woman whose family lives on the islands says financial support is the best support at this moment because every day is different, and people's needs may change based on circumstances.
The agency partners with the Hawaiian government and trained Red Cross disaster workers to have shelters open on Maui and Oahu. Since the fires began, the Red Cross and partners have provided more than 2,100 overnight shelter stays. The shelter in Oahu was opened to assist displaced Maui residents and the thousands of tourists evacuated from Maui. Anyone who has been affected by the fires is welcome to stop by a shelter to get information, a hot meal, charge their phone, and access other essential support.
Tovey says this is all possible because of your donations.
