Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez pledge to donate $100 million to Maui wildfires.Photo:Karwai Tang/WireImage
Karwai Tang/WireImage
Lauren Sánchezand her husband-to-beJeff Bezoshave pledged $100 million to Maui in the wake ofdevastating wildfiresthat have decimated the Hawaiian island.
“We are thinking of all the families that have lost so much and a community that has been left devastated. The immediate needs are important, and so is the longer term rebuilding that will have to happen — even after much of the attention has subsided.”
Sánchez, 53, added, “Jeff and I are creating a Maui Fund and are dedicating $100 million to help Maui get back on its feet now and over the coming year as the continuing needs reveal themselves.”
In addition to the post’s 11,000-plus likes, singerKaty Perryshowed her support, commenting, “this is it ♥️🙏🏻.“Mindy Kalingalso wrote, “Wow. truly incredible ❤️.”
Devastating wildfires have obliterated Hawaii’s second-largest island Maui, causing thousands of residents and visitors to evacuate — withsome even jumping into the harboroff the coastline in order to escape, according toHawaii News Now. The currentdeath toll is 80and isexpected to rise.
Another part-time resident of Maui has also pitched in to help locals with much-needed supplies as fires continue to rage and search and rescue crews attempt to locate missing people.
On Thursday, former talk show hostOprah Winfreywas filmed handing out supplies at the War Memorial Stadium in Maui, which has been turned into an evacuation center.
“It’s a little overwhelming, you know,” Winfrey, 69, told theBBCat the stadium. “But I’m really so pleased to have so many people, you know, supporting, and people are just bringing what they can and doing what they can.”
“Oprah went to a local shelter to ask first-hand what was most needed,” a spokesperson for Oprah later told PEOPLE. “She then went to Walmart and Costco to shop for the items and brought them back. It is heart-breaking devastation. She will do more, as it becomes clear which funds can be the most helpful for the short-term and long-term rebuilding.”
Jason Momoa, a Honolulu native, spoke out about the wildfires onInstagram, sharing a post from the nonprofit organizationĀina Momonawith more information on how to help.
“Āina Momona is standing up this fundraiser to support our Maui community,” he shared with alinkto the fund that will help “support disaster relief on Maui.““We are using this ActBlue platform because giving is quick and easy, and the funds come to us immediately, allowing us to get these funds to families in need faster,” the post continued before signing off with, “Mahalo for your support.”
The shocking impact of the wildfire is seen outside the city Lahaina, Hawaii, Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023.AP Photo/Rick Bowmer
AP Photo/Rick Bowmer
Momoa, 44, also urged people to stay safe in a statement shared withPEOPLE.
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The statement continued, “I urge everyone to stay safe and heed the advice of local authorities. Let us all do our part to prevent the further spread of the fires and support those on the front lines, working tirelessly to protect our homes and natural treasures.”
During a news conference on Thursday, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green described how the tragedy was especially difficult to anticipate because it “came in the night with high winds,” adding that the state is short on firefighting resources and personnel.
According toCBS News, there are at most 65 firefighters working in Maui County at any given time, who are responsible for fighting fires on three islands.
source: people.com
