‘Hats Off’ for Red Cross Event in Kona Saturday

The annual Hats Off event of the Hawai’i State Chapter of the American Red Cross will be held over the weekend.

Walmart employees, along with volunteers from Ocean Sports, 4-H Federation, and HGEA will all take their hats off on at Walmart Kona on March 28 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to raise donations for the Red Cross.

“Our Big Island Red Cross volunteers respond to everyday disasters like house fires and floods, providing emergency assistance and emotional support to those affected,” said Coralie Matayoshi, Hawai’i Red Cross Chief Executive Officer. “Whether it’s a place to stay, cleanup kit, or a shoulder to lean on, the Red Cross is always there. Because we are not a government agency, we reply on the generosity, support and aloha from people on the Big Island to provide these critical services to the community.”

On the Big Island in 2014, the Red Cross responded to 21 disasters and helped 154 family members get back on their feet following tragedy.

When Tropical Storm Iselle hit, the Red Cross opened 13 shelters throughout the county to allow those affected by the rain and tropical force winds to maintain safety. A total of 1,325 people were sheltered during the storm. In addition to the shelters, Red Cross provided 19,496 relief item at 12 sites, provided 4,119 meal and snacks, and was able to provide 568 residents with health and medical services.

Beyond assisting when disaster strikes, the Red Cross reached 3,969 individuals with disaster preparedness information and taught 4,076 critical skills, like first aid, CPR, and aquatics.

For additional information on how to become a volunteer or to donate online, visit the Hawai’i Red Cross website.