The Hawaii Red Cross recently participated in this year's Operation Homefront holiday meal distribution to military families at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, where pre-selected military families received non-perishable items and a gift card to purchase groceries for a full holiday meal. The Hawaii Red Cross added to the festivities by having Santa and his Red Cross volunteer therapy reindogs, distribute toys to help spread holiday cheer to the local Armed Forces community.  

American Girl dolls were generously donated by Mattel, and included American Girl's newest character, Nanea Mitchell, a 9-year-old girl growing up on the island of Oahu in 1941 during the Pearl Harbor attack.  The Hawaii Red Cross also visited the Pediatric Oncology department at Tripler Army Medical Center, where Dorinda Nicholson who the Nanea doll is created after, was present to help with distribution and sign the books and dolls for the patients. The donated American Girl dolls were also distributed at other local Armed Forces events, including the National Guard Family Holiday Party.

Inspired by Nanea's powerful story, American Girl is partnering with the American Red Cross in support of their Service to the Armed Forces program to help provide comfort and care to the members of the military, veterans, and their families. Now until December 31, 2017, American Girl will match every dollar donation made at americangirl.com or at any American Girl store in the U.S. up to a maximum total donation of $75,000.

The American Red Cross is on-call 24/7 to deliver emergency communication between military service members and their families during times of crisis.  The Hawaii Red Cross provides pre-deployment briefings, coping with deployment classes and reconnection workshops for military families to develop resiliency skills. The Hawaii Red Cross also manages the entire volunteer program at Tripler Army Medical Center with over 300 volunteers in 46 departments and wards, including dozens of therapy dogs who bring smiles and comfort to all.  

The Red Cross is not a government agency and depends on public contributions to help others. Your gift supports the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross in your community, across the country and around the world.  To send a contribution, mail your check to: 

American Red Cross of Hawaii 

4155 Diamond Head Road

Honolulu, HI  96816

Make a secure online donation at redcross.org/hawaii or call: (808) 739-8109.