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:
“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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