HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0745.006 2016-2018From: Noel i•Iorin
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Support for Hawaii County Red Cross Grant for FY 2019
Date: Sunday, April 22, 2018 1:57:34 PM
Dear Hawaii County Committee on Human Services & Social Services,
I chair the East Hawaii Advisory Council for the Hawaii Red Cross. I'm a Hilo resident and local business owner who has volunteered for the Red Cross for the past couple of years. I'm writing
to express my support of the Hawaii Red Cross, share appreciation for the services it offers Hawaii County communities, and request support of its grant funding request.
The Red Cross is on call 24 hours of every day of the year and is reliant on volunteers and donations to enable its mission. It provides disaster response in the form of shelter, clothing, food,
water, and even crisis counseling. Red Cross volunteers are often first on the scene of disasters and first to bring hope and relief to disaster victims.
It also plays a critical role in our island's disaster readiness and resiliency. Programs like the Disney Pillowcase (disaster preparedness education directed at our youth), Ready Rating
(disaster readiness assessment and mitigation for small businesses) and Sound the Alarm (smoke alarm installations in high-risk homes) are enabled by our volunteers. Throughout the past
year, we have empowered hundreds of youth in schools across the island and installed smoke detectors in many homes. Its mission is carried.out by an island -wide workforce that is over
95% volunteer, a force that is recruited, trained, nurtured, and supported by the island's sole Red Cross employee.
More than ever, particularly with our changing weather, we need a strong Red Cross on our island. I believe that is critical for us to support the Red Cross to enable continued disaster
preparedness and response efforts in our community. The funds raised will benefit us and I humbly ask for your support.
Sincerely,
Noel Morin
----------------------------
Noel Morin
East Hawaii County Advisory Council
American Red Cross - Hawaii Chapter
(808) 987-7428 (mobile)
�sssc-
COUNTY CLERFt .E: -
COUNTY OF HAWAII
RECEIVED
Time %0i By '00
Dat avt8 /r f
Wim: 14
Ref. TO:
rir r,04,: 2 �4
�... f-