Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne Johnson have pledged a substantial $10 million towards direct financial aid for individuals in Maui who are unable to return to their homes due to the recent wildfires. This generous commitment is channeled through a newly introduced initiative known as “The People’s Fund of Maui.”
The central aim of this fund is to offer monthly payments of $1,200 to adults who are unable to inhabit their primary residences due to the wildfires. This assistance encompasses both homeowners and renters, and the fund’s official website highlights the intention to secure additional contributions to extend the period of support. Dwayne Johnson, renowned for his role in “Young Rock,” shared in a video released alongside the announcement that he and Oprah Winfrey deeply contemplated the most impactful approach to aiding those affected by the wildfires. He stressed the significance of addressing the immediate needs of individuals, often centered around financial support. “Oprah and The Rock Donate $10M to Help Maui Wildfire Victims”
Expressing appreciation for those eager to contribute, Oprah Winfrey emphasized in the video that their collective efforts would be channeled through this initiative, stating unequivocally, “This is how you can contribute.”
The inspiration for this fund originates from a similar endeavor initiated by Dolly Parton after devastating wildfires swept through Gatlinburg, Tennessee in December 2016, causing multiple casualties and extensive property damage.
Over the span of several weeks, Jeff Conyers, President of The Dollywood Foundation, collaborated with Winfrey’s team, sharing insights derived from their experience managing the fund. The Dollywood Foundation succeeded in allocating $11 million to families who had lost their homes. Conyers described Dolly Parton’s approach as one that prioritized supporting her community and entrusting them to discern their own recovery requirements in the aftermath of the catastrophe.
The original “My People Fund,” led by Dolly Parton, collaborated with first responders and local utility companies, enlisting affected residents to identify destroyed structures and the occupants of those residences. This collective effort resulted in assistance reaching approximately 1,000 families, culminating in a final lump-sum disbursement of $5,000 at the conclusion of a six-month period.
Oprah Winfrey, who spends a portion of her time in Maui, visited an emergency shelter shortly after the wildfire outbreak and expressed concerns about effectively channeling resources to the affected population. The wildfire claimed at least 115 lives, with an unknown number of individuals still reported missing. The fire that swept through Lahaina on August 8 marked the deadliest wildfire in the United States in more than a century.
Despite the passage of time, forecasters cautioned that the combination of gusty winds and low humidity in the western regions of the Hawaiian Islands could still pose a threat of rapid fire spread. However, these conditions were not as severe as those that fueled the previous lethal blaze.
To qualify for assistance, applicants must provide government-issued identification and a utility bill in their name for a residence that has either been lost or rendered uninhabitable, as stipulated on the fund’s official website.
Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne Johnson emphasized their consultation with various community figures, including Hklani Holt-Padilla, Keali’i Reichel, Archie Kalepa, and Ekolu Lindsey, among others, in the announcement.
The fund’s sponsorship is facilitated by the Entertainment Industry Fund, a nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles that facilitates celebrities’ philanthropic endeavors.
Dwayne Johnson and Oprah Winfrey both intend for the fund’s assistance to continue for a minimum of six months. However, they acknowledge that the duration of the fund’s operations hinges on the support and contributions received from the general public, as articulated by Winfrey.