On August 8 devastating wildfires surged through the small and charming town of Lahaina on the island of Maui. These wildfires have affected more than just the island’s natural landscape; they’ve devastated the people of the island and the entire Hawaiian community. So much loss has occurred due to the fires: families have been split up, loved ones lost, and homes and belongings all perished and gone.
Throughout all this hardship, the neighboring islands of Hawaii and even states on the mainland have done what they could to support and show their Aloha to Maui. Fundraisers and donations have been created by small local businesses, musicians, artists, schools, and many more organizations in order to raise money and collect goods to provide for Maui. At this time, our Radford community has also joined in to support Maui with our donation drive, “Raise a Heart for Maui.” The donation drive was organized and run by Radford High School’s student council (STUCO).
“It’s important that we donate to support our fellow ohana, and people that are [now at a time like this] less fortunate than us,” said Student Council member, junior, Mikayla Mula. “Parents, teachers, students, people outside of our Radford community donated.”
On August 11, at Radford’s Welcome Back assembly, students were informed about the “Raise a Heart for Maui” donation drive. Soon after, they were told to send a message to anyone saying “I love you” and then, to altogether as a whole school, raise a heart made with their hands to show their love and support to Maui.
“It felt— honestly amazing to see how many people showed up for the people in a less fortunate circumstance,” Mula said.
STUCO accepted donations in front of room 113 from August 14th-15th during the hours 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The student council sought donations of toiletries, clothing, blankets, school supplies, and baby supplies for Maui.
“It’s important that we stick together and support people that are going through a hardship like this,” said Mula.
Other Radford students, such as the band “Stubborn Stubborn” have done what they could to support Maui, but in a musical form. The band is made up of three members (Seth Vuycankat, Mitch Hill, and Alexis Schultz), two of which are currently seniors at Radford.
On August 25 during lunchtime, “Stubborn Stubborn” performed their own songs in a benefit concert to promote their fundraiser for the Maui Strong Fund. Flyers were posted around the school with QR codes that led to where to donate. Students gathered around the center stage and the upstairs hallways to see and hear the live performance.
“To show our support to Maui, I would recommend just continuing to donate to any other drives open at the moment or to support any other organizations that are helping to donate toward relief funds,” Mula said.