An Atlanta Braves player is stepping up to the plate and or making a perfect pitch. JR Ritchie, a pitcher and relatively new member of the Braves, “announced on social media that he is raising funds to help friends and family in Hawaii.” Unceasing news reporting discloses that thousands of people have been impacted by the raging wildfire on the Hawaiian island of Maui.
The most current reporting indicates the wildfire is now the deadliest in modern US history. Ninety-three people have been reported to have been killed and current reporting indicates that “as many as 4,500 people have been left without shelter.”
Ritchie refers to Maui as his “second home for him and his family.” Ritchie informs that he has been “traveling there since he was born.” Ritchie attributes the relationships he has created there with countless locals as having “changed his life with their kindness and compassion.”
Ritchie states further that “on many trips, Coach Mike at Hitter’s Paradise allowed him to use his facilities to train and help local kids in camps.” Donations will go, according to Ritchie, to Hitter’s Paradise, “which is now acting as a relief and donation center.” As reported, donations will be used to buy “essential items like toiletries, clothing and food and pay for living expenses.”
In a related reporting, Jeff Bezos and girlfriend Lauren Sanchez have offered $100 million to the Maui recovery effort. Ritchie’s goal is somewhat more modest: a goal of $20,000. Ritchie informed that “a little over half of that had been donated by Sunday morning.” Reporting provides that donations may be made here.
Also reported is that FOX also teamed up with the Red Cross to help collect donations. “The Red Cross is currently on the ground providing aid and resources to those who live and work on Maui, or who were vacationing there when the fires broke out.” To make donations, click here.
