A community relief distribution event at Pala Lagoon Swimming Center on Saturday served approximately ten fire-affected families representing around 80 individuals. The event was the culmination of a month-long collection and fundraising campaign organized by Bluesky Communications in partnership with South Seas Broadcasting.
Families were handed an empty tote and invited to take what they needed from two large tents filled with clothing, bedding, cleaning supplies, storage bins, cookware, rice cookers, tea kettles, floor mats, and more. Two families who could not attend had items selected and delivered directly to them. Leftover clothing at the end of the two-hour event was delivered to the Department of Human & Social Services shelter.
Bluesky CEO Barlen Lutchmoodoo and South Seas Broadcasting General Manager Joey Cummings designed the campaign together. Collection points were established at South Seas Broadcasting, the Bluesky retail store in Nu’uuli, and the Bluesky kiosk at Fagatogo Marketplace. Bluesky also set up a donation short code and directed one cent from every SMS and phone call on its network to the relief fund, with Bluesky matching all funds raised. A formal announcement of the total is expected soon.
The campaign drew in other community organizations. Rotary Club of Pago Pago and Lions Club of Pago Pago have been making direct deliveries to affected families throughout July. The American Red Cross provided on-site support and used their registry of fire-affected families to ensure the right people were contacted. Many donated household items came new from Cost.U.Less. For a few hours on a Saturday morning, some of the island’s most active community organizations worked side by side enjoying the fellowship as they worked to sort the hundreds of donated items to make shopping easier for the families.
“It’s very inspiring to be helpful to families in need,” said Bluesky Marketing and Communications Lead Annette Tamasese. “We look forward to distributing the monetary donations next week, as well.”
