Aloha Petroleum Launches Donation Drive For Japan Earthquake Victims

Honolulu, HI (March 23, 2011) – The American Red Cross, Hawaii State Chapter, today announced that Aloha Petroleum, Ltd. will begin collecting cash donations from customers at all of its Aloha Island Mart company operated convenience stores and participating Shell locations throughout the state to support the agency’s efforts to help Japan earthquake and tsunami victims.

The American Red Cross has been assisting the Japanese Red Cross following the March 11 earthquake and resulting tsunami that devastated towns and villages in Japan.
The earthquake triggered fires and caused severe damage to buildings, leaving five million households without electricity and 1 million without water. Early assessments indicate that more than 2,500 houses have collapsed completely, with 2,500 more damaged.

The Japanese Red Cross has expressed gratitude for donations already received: “The compassion the American people have demonstrated over the past week through their generous support to the American Red Cross is incredibly uplifting at a time when we are dealing with such an immense humanitarian tragedy,” said Satoshi Sugai, director, Disaster Relief for the Japanese Red Cross. “This financial support is very much needed and continues to be welcomed to help the hundreds of thousands of lives that will forever be changed by this disaster.”

The American Red Cross has deployed a disaster management expert from its Washington, D.C. headquarters to Japan for a weeklong mission. She will serve on a seven-person, international team focused on providing high-level support and advice to the Japanese Red Cross, which continues to lead the local earthquake and tsunami response.

The special American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund collection canisters will be located at company operated Aloha Island Mart and participating Shell checkout counters beginning today and will be in place through the end of May. 

“We are very grateful to Aloha Petroleum for their compassion in this time of great tragedy.  Their generosity will help us save lives and give hope to those in need.  We cannot thank them enough for their wonderful contribution to the cause of humanity,” said Coralie Matayoshi, CEO of the American Red Cross, Hawaii State Chapter.

“The American Red Cross is providing much needed assistance to those affected by the devastating Japan earthquake and Pacific tsunami, and we wanted to help,” explained Richard Parry, President and CEO of Aloha Petroleum. “We know there are many local residents who also want to support the American Red Cross and its disaster relief efforts. We wanted to make it easy for them to help by having donation collection canisters at all of our convenience store locations.”

A complete list of Aloha Island Mart and participating Shell locations can be found at http://www.AlohaGas.com.

Help people affected by disasters like the recent Japan earthquake and Pacific tsunami by donating for American Red Cross Disaster Relief.  On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters.  Your gift enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to victims of all disasters.  Contributions to the American Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami may be sent to the Hawaii State Chapter at 4155 Diamond Head Road, Honolulu, HI 96816 or you can make a secure online donation at http://www.redcross.org.