Credit Unions of Maui donate $50,000 toward laptops for fire survivors

The Credit Unions of Maui and Lānaʻi presented $50,000 to the J. Walter Cameron Center on behalf of the Credit Unions of Maui Wildfire Relief Fund during a presentation on Dec. 14.

The donation supports Cameron Center’s Laptop Relief Program which distributes personal computers, laptops, tablets and mobile phones to wildfire survivors who lost their homes. The program has distributed hundreds of devices to those in need and currently has a waiting list.

The Cameron Center launched the Laptop Relief Program on Sept. 8, 2023, in response to the Maui wildfires disaster which resulted in the loss of thousands of homes. Since the Program’s inception there has been an overwhelming response of nearly 1,000 applications from displaced Maui residents seeking replacement devices.

“This generous gift will help provide over 250 laptops to individuals who lost their homes and will make a significant impact towards our goal of distributing 1,000 devices,” said Cesar Gaxiola. J. Walter Cameron Center Executive Director. “We are immensely grateful to the Credit Unions of Maui & Lanai for their generous donation of $50,000, which gives fire survivors access to vital information, connections, education, and work opportunities.”

The Credit Unions of Maui Wildfire Relief Fund represents the collective effort of local credit unions coming together to support those directly impacted by the devastating wildfires.

“Selecting the Cameron Center’s Laptop Relief Program as a beneficiary of the Fund was a no brainer,” said Guy Muraoka, Hawaiʻi Credit Union League Valley Isle Chapter President, speaking on behalf of the Credit Unions of Maui Wildfire Relief Fund. “We saw that we could make a significant impact in helping to close the funding gap to get devices into the hands of hundreds of individuals who were affected by the fires. We know that Maui’s recovery efforts will be ongoing, but being able to help survivors stay connected is an urgent need. We hope that this donation will help encourage others to support this worthy effort.”

Donations to the J. Walter Cameron Center for the Laptop Relief Program can be made online through the organization’s website at jwcameroncenter.org and checks can be mailed to 95 Mahalani Street, Wailuku, HI 96793.