Marine deaths inspire giving
By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer
When Hawai'i-based service members are injured or killed, military offices and local charities get calls from people who want to help the bereaved families.
Checks to benefit the families of military members can be mailed to the Armed Services YMCA, Honolulu Branch, P.O. Box 29333, Honolulu, HI 96820. For more information about the fund, call 473-1427.
But the military cannot accept money, and some charities are unable to direct the money only to Hawai'i service members.
How to help
When a helicopter loaded with 26 Marines and a sailor crashed in Iraq in January, Honolulu's Armed Services YMCA decided to step forward and help, said Dave Gomez, Armed Services YMCA executive director.
"People started calling after the crash, especially" Gomez said. "Because people know we are affiliated with the armed services, a lot of them were calling us."
The Armed Services YMCA operates separately from the civilian YMCAs across the country, Gomez said.
Honolulu's Armed Services YMCA had opened a fund for injured military members after it was approached late last year by a group of car dealers.
Hawai'i's Dodge Chrysler Jeep Dealers Association collected $10,000 from November through January, Gomez said.
Since that time, the Armed Services YMCA has collected another $16,735 for Hawai'i military families, including a $4,500 donation from Carole Kai charities, Gomez said.
"Not a lot so far," he said, "but it is building."
Although the Marines have been the motivation for many of the donors so far, Gomez said donations will be accepted for families of all service members wounded or killed at war.
"People can send checks made out to the Armed Services YMCA, and just indicate where they would like the money to go," Gomez said.
Marine Capt. Chris Perrine, a spokesman in Kane'ohe, said the concern shown by the people of the state has been heartwarming.
"Marine Corps Base Hawai'i wishes to thank all members of the community for their sincere and warm support," he said.
Reach Karen Blakeman at 535-2430 or kblakeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.
