‘Hats Off’ for Donations to Red Cross This Weekend

The Hawaii state chapter of the American Red Cross will hold its annual Hats Off event this weekend on the Big Island.

The event Saturday and Sunday marks the efforts by off-duty firefighters, military and other volunteers who will “take their hats off” and ask the public to fill them with donations for the Red Cross.

In East Hawaii, donations will be collected Saturday at the KTA Superstores location in downtown Hilo and both days at Hilo’s Wal-Mart store.

Volunteer groups helping out include the Lion’s Club, Kamehameha Schools, Rotary Club, Bank of Hawaii and the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy and its School of Nursing.

In West Hawaii, the collections will run Friday through Sunday and will be collected at the Kona Wal-Mart store, KTA stores and Lanihau Center.

In addition to the other organizations and volunteers, those assisting in Kona will include the 4-H Federation, Wal-Mart employees and the Hualalai Academy.

Donations may also be made online at www.hawaiiredcross.org.

“On the Big Island, our Red Cross volunteers respond to everyday disasters like house fires and floods, providing emergency assistance and emotional support to those affected,” said Coralie Matayoshi, Red Cross chief executive ffficer.

“Whether it’s an earthquake or winter storm, the Red Cross will be there,” she said. “Because we are not a government agency, we rely on the generosity and aloha from the people on the Big Island to provide these critical services to the community.”