AREA MERCHANTS, VISIT HOOD RIVER RALLY IN SUPPORT OF LAHAINA WITH ‘SHOP LOCAL FOR MAUI’ AND OTHER FUNDRAISING EVENTS

Participating businesses will donate a percentage of the day’s sales on Saturday, Aug. 26, to World Central Kitchen; More Maui fundraising efforts are scheduled for Friday, Aug. 25 and Sunday, Aug. 27

(HOOD RIVER, Ore.) — Retailers across the Columbia River Gorge are asking residents and visitors alike to “Shop Local for Maui,” one of several fundraising efforts in and around Hood River this weekend being held in support of the recovery efforts in Maui, Hawaii, following the tragic wildfire that decimated the historic town of Lahaina. With support from Visit Hood River, participating retailers will donate a percentage of the day’s sales on Saturday, Aug. 26, to the World Central Kitchen’s Emergency Response Team, an international aid organization that is on the ground providing food and water for first responders, evacuated residents, and tourists in Maui.

To support the cause, retailers are only asking people to shop or dine at one of the more than a dozen participating retailers in and around Hood River. So far, Doug’s Hood River, Plenty, Sustain Interiors, G. Willikers Toy Shoppe, 64 oz Taphouse, Arome, The Ruddy Duck, Alpine Sea Co., Egg River Cafe, 1301 Steaks & Spirits, Chemistry Jewelry, the Red Carpet Inn (on Sunday, Aug. 27), and Holistic Massage of Hood River will all participate. And more could join by Saturday.

The Shop Local for Maui event is one way Hood River merchants are raising funds for recovery efforts. Other efforts include:

• The Pines 1852 Maui Fundraiser will be held at The Pines 1852 tasting room on 415 Oak Street in Hood River on Friday, Aug. 25, from 6-9 p.m. The fundraiser will feature live music by Megan Alder & The Woods. Pines 1852 will donate $1 from every glass of wine purchased and 10% of all bottle sales to the Maui Just Recovery Fund. Click here for more information on the event or to donate directly to the Maui Just Recovery Fund.
• The Support the Relief of the Maui Fires event will be held at Northwave Sales (400 Portway Avenue, Hood River) beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 27. Go Foil, Northwave, Big Winds, Doug’s Water Sports, and Mayah’s Indian Restaurant will be joining forces to host various activities to raise funds and collect donations for the Hawai’i Community Foundation Maui Strong Fund. Attendees are asked to donate a minimum of $20 to the Maui Strong Fund. Proof of the donation will then grant free access to the Community Downwind Ride, Community Shred Sesh, and afternoon barbeque. To donate to the Maui Strong Fund, visit hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/maui-strong.
• Sixth Street Bistro in Hood River held a fundraising event for the Maui Community Foundation Maui Strong Fund on Friday, Aug. 18. The Sixth Street Bistro donated 15% of its sales from the day to support the Maui recovery efforts.

“I’m proud that the merchants of Hood River are once again stepping up to support the recovery efforts in Maui, something they have done before,” says Katie Kadlub, CEO of Visit Hood River. “The Columbia River Gorge is no stranger to wildfires, and we understand that the devastation in Lahaina is immeasurable. We hope these efforts in some small way help ease the enormous burden on Maui and its residents.”

Patrons can support the effort by simply visiting their favorite participating Hood River store to make a few purchases on Saturday, Aug. 26, or by donating directly on Visit Hood River’s Shop Local for Maui website.

For more information on Shop Local for Maui, or donate directly to the World Central Kitchen visit, visithoodriver.com/event/shop-local-to-support-maui/.

For more information on Visit Hood River go to www.visithoodriver.com.

About the Hood River County Chamber of Commerce dba Visit Hood River:

The Hood River County Chamber of Commerce dba Visit Hood River is a nonprofit business association serving our tourism and business Stakeholders. Located at the crossroads of the spectacular Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and the magnificent Cascade Range and just an hour from Portland, Hood River is truly “Mother Nature’s Favorite,” offering outdoor recreation, dramatic vistas, historic landmarks, bountiful fruit, and fantastic food, wine, beer, and cider. With accommodations ranging from luxury hotels to historic B&Bs, Hood River is a four-season destination for families, outdoor enthusiasts, weddings, corporate events, and more. It was named the West’s best “Nature Lover’s Destination” in the 2021 Sunset Travel Awards, a “Top 10 Best Small Town Beer Scene” in the 2021 USA Today 10Best Readers Choice Awards, a Top 10 Wine Destination for 2017 by Wine Enthusiast, and 2015 “Best Adventure Town” in the West by Sunset magazine. Visit Hood River supports economic development, community development, and destination marketing for Hood River, Cascade Locks, Mosier, Odell, Parkdale, Pine Grove, and Mt. Hood. For more information, call 800-366-3530 or visit www.visithoodriver.com.

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