• David Sayre

The Salvation Army Provides Update on Services Provided to Marco Polo Condo Fire

HONOLULU (July 26, 2017) – The Salvation Army is continuing to provide aid to residents affected by the recent fire via their Family Services Office. To date, approximately $21,000 has been raised to provide disaster relief assistance. Services being provided by The Salvation Army include rental assistance, food, clothing, and emotional and spiritual care. Marco Polo residents or their families can request services by calling 808-800-4330 or by clicking the “get help” link on the organization’s website at http://www.hawaii.salvationarmy.org. 

“A crisis at home can be overwhelming for residents and reality can just be setting in; that’s why we are continuing to help in the coming weeks,” said Anna Stone, Director of The Salvation Army’s Family Services Office and Pathway of Hope. “Not only do residents have immediate needs of daily food, shelter, and emotional and spiritual care, they also have extended financial needs in terms of rental assistance and basic items. And, thanks to strong community support, we are able to assist and care for residents as needed. We also ask the public for additional monetary donations so the assistance can continue as the needs of the individual residents become clearer during the coming days and weeks.” 

In addition to monetary donations, many organizations have provided in-kind donations of food, water and other products such as comfort bears. The Salvation Army reports the following items have been provided to residents to date: 

• 500 + meals and refreshments
• 17 cases of water and soda; 32 bags of groceries (canned goods and rice)
• 4 can openers 
• 15 pairs of adult and keiki slippers 
• 72 toiletry kits 
• Various toys, coloring books, crayons, and children's books 
• 50 comfort bears
• 11 rice cookers 4 crock pots 4 coffee maker 2 blenders and 3 toasters
• 9 clothing vouchers 
• 6 baby bags including diapers and wipes

Stone continued, “In addition to the monetary donations we’ve received, we’re so grateful to the many organizations, companies, and volunteers that have stepped up to help assist the residents and first responders as we provided assistance in the building lobby.”

Among the organizations providing in-kind assistance include: Aloha Harvest – daily deliveries of pre-cooked meal options; Down to Earth – healthy groceries; Dunkin’ Donuts – breakfast sandwiches and donuts; Good Bears of the World, Aloha Den – comfort bears; Keeaumoku Walmart – bottled water; Kokorotei – bentos; Royal Kitchen – prepared dinners; among others who have generously just dropped off prepared food and beverages. In addition, Wine and Canvas held a fundraiser and provided toiletries, linens and bottled water. 

Stone continued, “The Salvation Army reached out to our long-time community partner Kyo-ya Hotels & Resorts to house displaced families from the Marco Polo fire at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani.” The State of Hawaii has also stepped up by waiving the transient accommodations tax on the rooms which helps further the assistance we can provide to residents.” 

For details on how the public can help, visit http://www.hawaii.salvationarmy.org and click on the “Donate Now” link. The Salvation Army uses 100 percent of all donations designated ‘disaster relief’ in support of disaster operations. 

Although The Salvation Army is not requesting in-kind goods donations at this time, gifts of gently-used household goods, clothing, etc., are always needed by Salvation Army Family Stores to support their work in the local community. Find out more at SAtruck.org.

About The Salvation Army – Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Division

The Salvation Army – Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Division covers the state of Hawaii and the Pacific Islands including Guam, Republic of the Marshall Islands and The Federated States of Micronesia. The Division offers a wide variety of programs throughout the islands including: adult day health services; affordable senior housing; at-risk youth services and housing; camp & conference center; family stores; food distribution and feeding programs; homeless services; The Kroc Center – Hawaii’s largest community center; preschools & day care services; social services – emergency assistance; substance abuse treatment; and work therapy & rehabilitation services. For more information, call 808-988-2136, visit www.hawaii.salvationarmy.org, or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.