The Permian Basin chapter of the American Red Cross Central and South Texas Region is working with other chapters nationwide to raise funds for the victims of the wildfires that ravaged the Hawaiian island of Maui earlier this month.
“You can help people affected online at redcross.org or by texting the word HAWAII to 90999 to make a $10 donation,” the nonprofit organization said in an Aug. 14 post on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
Odessa NBC affiliate KWES Channel 9 reports that while thousands of people are in need of assistance, Red Cross officials welcome donations of any amount.
"So the people of West Texas can support the people of Hawaii by making a donation,” an unnamed Permian Basin Red Cross official said in the report. “A financial donation is the best way to aid the people in Hawaii."
Reuters reports the Maui wildfires broke out on Aug. 8, killing nearly 100 people in their wake and decimating the picturesque seaside town of Lahaina.
Per Reuters, the disaster has earned the distinction of being the deadliest U.S. wildfire in over 100 years.
With virtually much of the population of 13,000 people rendered homeless and many businesses reduced to ash, Reuters reported, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) projects the cost to rebuild the former Hawaiian capital to be nearly $6 billion.
Back in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott issued a wildfire disaster declaration on Aug. 14 for 191 counties as the Lone Star State experiences widespread wildfire activity, with the possibility of adding more counties as conditions warrant, per a press release issued by the Office of the Texas Governor.