Sammy Hagar Donates $5,000 to Help Maui Seniors

Sammy Hagar, 2002. Photo courtesy of Hawaii News Now.

By Sonia Isotov

The Hagar Family Foundation donated $5,000 to Na Hoaloha – Neighbors Helping Neighbors, a Maui non-profit that recruits volunteers to provide seniors with friendly visits, transportation and caregiver respite.

“There are people that need immediate help. I’m a grassroots guy. The day I write the check, the next day I want to have someone benefit from it,” said Sammy Hagar, rock ‘n’ roll hall-of-famer and part-time Huelo resident, in a written statement.

Gerri Shapiro, executive director of Na Hoaloha. Courtesy photo.

“Neighbors Helping Neighbors will put these funds to immediate use helping seniors to remain in their homes and independent and to enhance the quality of their lives,” said Gerri Shapiro, executive director of Na Hoaloha.

Na Hoaloha provides a wide variety of hands-on services to the elderly, including friendly visits, accompaniment to doctor, telephone reassurance, shopping, transportation, help with bills and records, respite care, yard work and gardening, light housekeeping, meal preparation, minor home repairs, and letter writing.

One of their most popular programs is known as Aloha Cruisers which provides assisted transportation for seniors. Drivers are matched with seniors, and get paid a small per mile stipend to give a senior a ride to a medical appointment, shopping, or errands. Drivers also receive liability insurance.

Na Hoaloha can be reached at 249-2545, www.nahoaloha.org.