LIHUE — There are a couple of ways for Kauai people to help Houston ohana, thanks to a newlywed couple from Princeville who have created a Go Fund Me account and First Hawaiian Bank, which has established an Aloha Relief
LIHUE — There are a couple of ways for Kauai people to help Houston ohana, thanks to a newlywed couple from Princeville who have created a Go Fund Me account and First Hawaiian Bank, which has established an Aloha Relief fund.
Chelsea and Seth Lake established a Go Fund Me crowdfunding account on Thursday morning and by Friday, the account had accumulated $250 toward a $5,000 goal for assistance for those hit by Hurricane Harvey.
It was a desire to spread aloha that spurred the Lakes to start the fund.
“I was thinking about it last night, but I woke up this morning and clicked on the news and I told my husband, ‘we have to do something,’” Chelsea Lake said Thursday afternoon.
She said she had an extra $25 she could spare and her husband volunteered to match it.
“My parents said they’d match us and I thought I’d see if any other people on my Facebook network, or anyone else, was interested,” Lake said. “I’m sure we’ll get a handful of people involved.”
Money raised is set aside for general hurricane relief. However, Lake is looking for an ohana in Houston with a Hawaii connection to help with the funds raised.
“I think it’s important because if it ever happens to us, we hope others are there for us,” Lake said.
On the same token, First Hawaiian Bank announced Friday the establishment of the Aloha Relief for Harvey Fund, which assists the American Red Cross in efforts to help those impacted by the Aug. 25 hurricane.
The first $25,000 in the fund was donated by First Hawaiian Bank, and branches are collecting community donations.
All contributions to the Aloha Relief for Harvey Fund will be donated to the national chapter of the American Red Cross to assist Hurricane Harvey relief efforts, according to an announcement made Friday by Bob Harrison, First Hawaiian Bank chairman and chief executive officer.
“We are all very deeply concerned for the survivors of this storm,” said Harrison. “We encourage everyone to join us in making a contribution of any size to help the Red Cross do what it does best in helping the affected regions recover as quickly as possible.”
First Hawaiian Bank branches are collecting funds through Sept. 30.
To donate: gofundme.com/bringalohatohouston
