Today, tomorrow and Sunday are the days for American Red Cross - Hawaii Chapter's annual Hats Off fundraiser.
Here on Maui, Walmart shoppers can make donations today through Sunday at the Kahului store.
Tomorrow, other stores will have volunteers standing outside taking donations.
Those other Saturday locations are: Longs in Kahului; Longs at the Lahaina Cannery Mall; Hasegawa General Store in Hana and Pukalani Superette.
The Red Cross always spearheads relief efforts when disaster strikes - whether it is earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan; the tragedy of New Zealand; or a house fire down the street.
It is easy to take the Red Cross for granted - it is always there when needed. But it relies on donations from people like you to make sure help and supplies are there when disaster strikes.
The Hawaii Red Cross is on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In addition to responding to and preparing for disasters, the Red Cross teaches valuable life-saving classes and is the vital connection between military families and deployed loved ones during times of crisis.
So take the time this weekend to put a buck or two in those Red Cross hats this weekend. You can help ensure the Red Cross is always there when it is needed.
(Disclosure: Maui News publisher Joe Bradley is a board member of the American Red Cross - Hawaii Chapter and is Chairman of the Maui Advisory Board. A version of this editorial has appeared previously in The Maui News.)
* Editorials reflect the opinion of the publisher.
