Issue link: https://hub.associaonline.com/i/1530974
2023 Relief Tribute: Hawaii Wildfires In 2023, Associa Cares is proud to have distributed $650,000 in assistance globally. Our ability to help those in need is thanks to our generous giving community that consists of Associa employees, Associa branch events, support from business partners, and the generosity of donations from individuals. Collectively, these efforts demonstrate the power of community and the benefits of giving. We are grateful for the continued support of those who are part of our giving community. In looking back, there is one event that stands out both for the scale of its impact and the response of caring individuals. In early August 2023, fires swept Lahaina, ripping through the historic and culturally significant town and killing at least 102 residents. Thousands were left homeless. But in the darkest hours of this tragedy, something amazing happened. Those with connections to the community and those touched by the loss stepped up to help those who lost everything. Associa Cares partnered with Associa Hawaii and impacted communities to raise and distribute more than $350,000 to those impacted by the fires. Of that amount, $287,000 was raised from direct donations across the U.S. and Canada from those with a love of or connection to Lahaina. This response was the largest single disaster recovery effort in our organization's history. We are both humbled by and grateful for the unwavering goodwill of those who worked with us to help those in need. We hope that this collective effort provided a sense of community to those who lost theirs. There is a saying that we are not defined by what happens to us, but rather how we choose to respond. Each year those who support Associa Cares put this principle into action. Our mission is to help those in crisis as a result of natural and man-made disasters. This mission is propelled each day by the vision that anyone impacted by such a tragedy can receive financial support and a sense of community at a time when all seems lost. Our success is thanks to the many generous donors and volunteers who share that vision and work to make the world a better place. - The Associa Cares Team -13-