The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is expanding its charitable donations to the Hawaiian island of Maui.
Bishop W. Christopher Waddell, first counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, announced that the Church will donate US$1 million to the American Red Cross to help relief efforts after deadly and devastating wildfires.
The donation will support the Red Cross’s efforts to provide:
- Shelter to survivors
- Meals, bedding, hygiene kits, and other items
- Medical, mental health, and family reunification services
Bishop Waddell met with representatives of the Red Cross on Sunday, Aug. 20.
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“The Church’s partnership with the Red Cross is so valuable. It reaches so many people and helps so many people who are suffering, and the Church’s donation helps alleviate that human suffering,” said Brad Kieserman, vice president of disaster operations and logistics with the Red Cross.
Bishop Waddell and local Church leaders spent the weekend meeting with many community organizations providing aid on Maui. They also showed Hawaii Governor Josh Green the evacuation site and shelter on the grounds of a church meetinghouse in Kahului.
“What you are doing is extraordinary for the people of Maui,” Green said. “We need everyone together. I think this kind of crisis brings people together. The sense of loss is there. There are people feeling desperation. They feel their lives if they weren’t lost in the fire may be lost in other ways. You will lift them up.”
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provides funding for emergency response efforts and many other humanitarian initiatives to care for those in need.