The American Red Cross Hawaii Chapter is thanking AT&T for a $25,000 donation to help disaster relief efforts throughout the state.
The American Red Cross Hawaii Chapter is thanking AT&T for a $25,000 donation to help disaster relief efforts throughout the state.
“As they did three years ago, in an effort led by late Big Island state Rep. Bob Herkes, AT&T has once again stepped up and made a donation that will help Hawaii,” said Coralie Chun Matayoshi, chief executive officer of the Hawaii State Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Herkes, who represented Puna, Ka‘u, North Kona and South Kona, organized a “Breakfast with Bob” event in the wake of the March 11, 2011, tsunami that destroyed dozens of homes, businesses and boats throughout the state. Herkes died Aug. 21, less than two weeks after Tropical Storm Iselle slammed into the Big Island.
Nearly half of the $60,000 raised at that 2011 “Breakfast with Bob” effort came from AT&T, which employs more than 400 people throughout Hawaii.
“We are proud to partner with the Hawaii Red Cross in their relief efforts, especially in the wake of Iselle and the ongoing threats that Big Island residents face from lava flows approaching their homes,” said Bob Bass, president of AT&T Hawaii.
“We are extremely grateful to AT&T for their supporting our humanitarian mission in Hawaii,” Matayoshi said.
The Hawaii Red Cross is on call 24/7, 365 days a year and responds to disasters big and small about every four days, providing food, clothing, shelter and emotional support to those individuals and families affected by tragic events.
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 life-saving mission of the American Red Cross in your community, across the country and around the world.
To send a contribution, mail your check to American Red Cross, 4155 Diamond Head Road, Honolulu, HI 96816, make a secure online donation at redcross.org/hawaii, or call 808-739-8109.