AUGUST 18, 2023 – Service members from the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command rushed to the state capitol building early on Aug. 11 to provide management and support of disaster relief donations for the families who suffered from the wildfires in Maui. The town of Lahaina and Kula resembled a war zone as the town smoked with gray ash and charred vehicles littered the streets.
Mrs. Lena Conrad, Community Liaison with Youth and Families, contacted the 94th AAMDC leadership for support on the night of Aug. 10. Sgt. Maj. Victor Milam, Operations Senior Enlisted Leader, rallied a team of ten to assist the Hawaiian government with the arriving donations.
“Community outreach is important, we (94th AAMDC) have a strong bond with the local community, and naturally, we wanted to assist at the point of need,” said Milam. “I reached out to our command’s Soldier volunteers for help.”
Cars lined up in front of the Father Damien statue to drop off items to support those affected by the wildfires. Toiletries, diapers, formula, toys, clothing, bedding, household goods, and nonperishable food items are being accepted to relieve the devastated Maui communities.
“It is amazing to see everyone coming together,” said Spc. Sasha Robello, 94th AAMDC Information Technology Specialist. “The amount of support arriving at the state capitol building is incredible.”
Soldiers and local volunteers separated donations into different categories. They front-loaded food supplies and baby formula for immediate airlift to Maui—other volunteers packaged relief kits with various items for temporary lodging.
“The unity occurring across the country is great to see, especially with the division amongst Americans fueled by echo chambers on social media,” said Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Robbins, 94th AAMDC Air Defense Battle Manager. “It’s great to see how the nation cares about their neighbors who lost everything in the Maui wildfires.”
Donations for the families of Maui can go to local government agencies below:
- The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency: Donations and volunteer support welcomed. State Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Kenneth Hara recommends going to ready.hawaii.gov or calling 808-733-4300 for information.
- Maui County: Coordinating donations and volunteers. For more information call 808-270-7285.
- Hawaii Chamber of Commerce Foundation: Monetary donations are being accepted at tinyurl.com/46jknrw9.
By Victor Aguirre