In honor of March as Red Cross Month, Hawaii Red Cross is honoring its Red Cross Heroes throughout the state.
In honor of March as Red Cross Month, Hawaii Red Cross is honoring its Red Cross Heroes throughout the state.
In East Hawaii, this year’s award goes to Yukie Ohashi of Volcano for her many years of service to the community, here at home and on the mainland.
“The kind, courageous, and selfless deeds of these community and volunteer heroes are directly linked to the Red Cross mission of preventing and alleviating human suffering,” said Coralie Matayoshi, state CEO of Hawaii Red Cross.
Tribute was paid to Ohashi and other Hawaii honorees at the annual Red Cross Heroes Breakfast on March 8.
Ohashi has been an active Red Cross volunteer since 2008. She and her husband, Tim, who is also a Red Cross volunteer, serve as active community leaders, especially in the Volcano area.
“Yukie has helped to grow the Red Cross presence in her community by recruiting new volunteers and serving as a vital liaison between the local Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) and the Red Cross volunteer team,” Matayoshi said. “As a shelter manager on the Disaster Action Team, Yukie assists those who have lost their homes due to disasters such as fires or floods and makes sure their emergency needs are met.”
Ohashi deployed to New York to help with relief efforts for Superstorm Sandy. In 2013, she deployed to Arizona for the wildfires response.
“Yukie’s hard work and dedication truly represent the spirit of being a Red Cross volunteer,” Matayoshi said.
The Red Cross is a nonprofit humanitarian organization that provides assistance to meet the immediate emergency needs of those affected by disasters. All Red Cross assistance to disaster victims is free. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it depends on public contributions to help others.
“Your gift supports the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross in your community, across the country and around the world,” Matayoshi said.
To send a contribution, mail a check to: American Red Cross, Hawaii State Chapter, 4155 Diamond Head Road, Honolulu, HI 96816, or make a secure online donation at www.redcross.org/hawaii, or call (808) 739-8133.