Hollywood icons Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Oprah Winfrey have teamed up to establish the People’s Fund of Maui, a charitable initiative aimed at delivering direct financial relief to those impacted by the recent disaster.
In early August 2023, a devastating wildfire wreaked havoc on Hawaii’s picturesque Maui island, resulting in extensive property damage and personal losses as over 2,500 acres of land were consumed by the flames. Responding to the urgent need for assistance, The Rock and Oprah took the lead by launching the People’s Fund of Maui, a compassionate endeavor to provide tangible financial support to the affected individuals.
The notable aspect of this relief effort is its embrace of the cryptocurrency community. A-list celebrities Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson have opened the doors to cryptocurrency donations, allowing the global crypto community to contribute to the cause.
The Rock, confirming the initiative through a tweet, assured that 100% of the donations collected would be channeled directly to the victims. He also outlined the specifics of the relief, stating that every adult resident residing in the affected regions of Lahaina and Kula, who had been displaced due to the wildfires, would be eligible to receive $1,200 per month. This financial assistance aims to help them navigate the challenging journey of recovery.
The People’s Fund of Maui extends a warm welcome to donations in various forms, including both traditional fiat currencies and cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin, among other cryptocurrencies, has been incorporated as an option for those looking to contribute. Oprah Winfrey emphasized that the primary objective is to empower survivors by placing the donations directly in their hands, enabling them to make informed decisions regarding their path to recovery. She emphasized the importance of individuals having agency and the ability to make choices for themselves and their families during the challenging aftermath of the disaster.
Alongside the efforts of these A-list celebrities, numerous other relief organizations are also actively engaged in supporting the wildfire victims. Among them, the disaster relief organization All Hands and Hearts has been actively collecting both cryptocurrency and fiat donations to aid the local residents of Maui in the wake of this devastating natural disaster.
Olga Ruggiero, Chief of Organizational Integration and Events at All Hands and Hearts, highlighted the invaluable contribution of cryptocurrency donations, noting that they are playing a crucial role in providing essential support to the victims. She underscored the solidarity of the crypto industry, which continues to unite with communities worldwide in times of need.