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Sánchez recently unveiled her plans for a charitable initiative known as the Maui Fund, aimed at addressing both immediate necessities and the long-term reconstruction efforts. Expressing concern for the families profoundly affected by the tragic consequences of the rapid wildfires on Maui, Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, and his partner, entertainment journalist Lauren Sánchez, have joined the growing roster of celebrities lending their support to the cause.
Sánchez took to Instagram on Friday to announce that the pair, deeply saddened by the situation, is committing a substantial sum of $100 million to aid in what is expected to be an extended recovery process. In her post, she emphasized the importance of not only fulfilling the immediate needs but also ensuring the island's enduring restoration. With this in mind, Jeff and I are establishing the Maui Fund and allocating $100 million to assist Maui's recovery in the present and the foreseeable future, as the ongoing necessities become apparent.
While the pressing requirements for those currently displaced encompass essential items such as water, sustenance, clothing, and shelter, it's evident that the journey toward complete recuperation extends beyond fleeting news cycles. Prominent figures like Hawaiian actor Jason Momoa have actively employed social media platforms to encourage their followers to contribute. Additionally, Oprah Winfrey, who owns substantial acreage on the island, is on-site personally, procuring and distributing essential supplies to those in dire need.
The commitment of billionaire Bezos, whose estimated net worth stands at $163 billion, ranking him as the world's third-wealthiest individual according to Bloomberg, holds personal significance. He possesses a 14-acre property on South Maui's La Perouse Bay, acquired for $78 million in 2021. Although specifics regarding the operation of the Maui Fund are yet to be disclosed, its value to a community where the death toll from the fires has tragically reached 67, marking it as the deadliest incident in the state's history, is beyond doubt.
Sánchez further conveyed in her Instagram post: "Our thoughts are with the families who have experienced profound losses and a community left shattered by these events."
