Easy Ways To Help Red Cross

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Wednesday - March 03, 2010

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With all that’s going on in Haiti, it’s a good time to tell you that March is National Red Cross Month.

Coralie Chun Matayoshi, CEO of the Hawaii chapter, says they have a lot of activities planned to raise awareness and funds.

“With so much focus on American Samoa, the Philippines and Haiti, we are redoubling our efforts to bring awareness and support for our local Red Cross,” Matayoshi says.

She wants to remind everyone that while the media attention has been on international relief efforts like American Samoa and Haiti, the Red Cross does a good job of helping people right here at home.

In the next week or so I plan to focus on specific Red Cross programs, but right now here’s a quick overview of the activities the Red Cross will offer in the month of March:

Hats Off Event: On Saturday, March 13, off-duty firefighters, military servicemembers and other volunteers will collect donations in hats at various locations on Oahu. Volunteers also will be at all Walmart stores statewide March 12-14.

Online Auction: (March 8-31) This one’s great. You can go to http://www.hawaiiredcross.org to bid on some pretty spectacular items including a brand new Suzuki Kizashi, a trip to Australia and hotel stays in places like London, Dublin, Puerto Rico, Aspen, New York, Seattle and San Francisco. Or how about backstage Broadway passes for South Pacific, restaurants, spa, golf, massage, stand-up paddleboard and more! New items will be put up for bid every Monday; bids close Sunday. You’ll be able to use your Hawaiian Airlines Bank of Hawaii credit or debit card to make monetary donations through the online auction Web site and earn double HawaiianMiles.

Kahala Mall Viva la Diva: (Saturday and Sunday, March 27-28) Shop at Kahala Mall on these days and earn three HawaiianMiles for every dollar spent, with one mile going to the Hawaii Red Cross. Donate all of your miles earned and you will have a chance to win a Neighbor Island trip on Hawaiian Airlines.

Look out for these events. Your support can keep the Red Cross in the business of helping victims of disaster, wherever in the world they may be.

Speaking of disasters (how’s that for a segue?), can you believe our schools are still in Furlough Friday hell? While the HSTA files a grievance against Governor Lingle and she “negotiates” through the media, our kids are sitting at home, or in malls, or parked in daycare. Auwe.

If this is allowed to go on much longer, the biggest threat to the future of this state won’t be a sluggish economy or global warming. It’ll be the inability of our children to compete in the global marketplace.

Kids are stressing out. Some are getting used to the abbreviated school week. Parents feel helpless. Teachers are frustrated.

And we cement our reputation as a state with an inferior education system.

What a shame.