Oprah and The Rock Accept Bitcoin Donations For Maui Fire Victims – Here’s the Latest

The People’s Fund of Maui, a charity organization rolled out by celebrities Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to aid victims of wildfires in Maui, appears to accept Bitcoin (BTC) and other cryptocurrency donations.

The fund launched to provide direct financial support to the community has seen the crypto community participate in multiple relief efforts. 

We're honored to announce the People’s Fund of Maui, a fund putting money directly in the pockets of those who were affected by the recent wildfires.

As @Oprah and I have seen firsthand, the impacts of these wildfires have been devastating, and we’re here to ensure with 100%… pic.twitter.com/iH6cPwbQ3k

— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) August 31, 2023

According to The Rock, 100% of funds raised will go directly to displaced community members while calling for more support for the people.

“Every adult resident who lives in the affected area and was displaced by the wildfires in Lahaina and Kula is eligible to receive $1200 per month to help them through this period of recovery.”

In line with The Rock, Oprah added that the move will help people return to normalcy after wildfires displaced thousands from their homes. She also assured that 100% of the funds will go directly to the victims. 

“People being able to have their own agency, being able to make decisions for themselves about what they need and what their family needs  … that is our goal.”

The People’s Fund accepts virtual currency donations alongside fiat. The platform’s website reveals that relief can be donated in Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), Polygon (MATIC), and stablecoins. 

Last month, wildfires hit Maui, a Hawaiian island causing massive damage to lives and property in the region. So far, the tragedy has spanned 2,500 acres with over a hundred confirmed deaths.

Crypto charities build up efforts 

In recent years, digital asset foundations have been at the center of charitable works in several countries. Apart from industry-based foundations, traditional charities have included crypto as part of payment options for global adoption ramp-up.

The Giving Block also contributed to crypto donation efforts in the country. So far, the foundation has raised over $68,000 in digital assets and a total of $136,000 including fiat.

Olga Ruggiero who heads organizational integration at Hands and Hearts noted that crypto donations have been helpful in relief efforts so far.

“Cryptocurrency donations as any other type of donations are helping to provide essential support after the devastating wildfires. The crypto industry continues to band together with communities around the world in need.”

He added that the Giving Block has facilitated over $125 million in crypto donations. The disastrous earthquakes in Turkey and Syria also recorded massive cryptocurrency donations running into millions.

Firms like Binance, Bitfinex, Tether, and OKX pledged over $9 million in crypto for the victims with other community donations. 

The Avalanche Foundation has donated $1M in AVAX to the disaster relief efforts, organized by @haluklevent, for the earthquake that has affected Turkey and Syria. We encourage others to join the effort. https://t.co/Inr7oLX28q

— Avalanche 🔺 (@avax) February 7, 2023

Avalanche also donated $1 million in AVAX as part of relief efforts for both countries with its Foundation Executive Aytunc Yıldızlı stating that “Turkey is close to the heart of the Avalanche Foundation and community, and the funds will help people recover faster in the wake of this tragedy.”