Back in mid-April, in response to the massive flooding that destroyed portions of Kauai, we released a special design that included our iconic VH07V logo with a purple Kauai island (the island’s color) as the “0”, in an effort to raise funds for those affected by the floods in North Kauai. With 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the T-shirts going back to our partner, the Hawaii State Chapter of the American Red Cross and their relief efforts there, we were able to raise more than $4,000!
Then, in a cruel twist of fate just a few weeks later, Madame Pele began to unleash her fury throughout the Puna district on the Big Island of Hawaii, prompting us to then release a Red Big Island VH07V Tee (again, red being the island’s color). Similarly, 100% of the proceeds went back to help those affected by the lava in Puna. Combined with the proceeds from the Kauai tee, you folks were able to help us raise more than $8,000.
We made our own separate and additional contribution to the $8,000+ raised to bring the total combined donation amount made to the Hawaii State Chapter of the American Red Cross on Thursday, May 24, 2018 to over $10,000…
That still totally blows my mind. VH07V is just a small, part-time, family-owned company, so the fact that we are able to make a difference and contribute a donation of that size, truly humbles me. We are fortunate to have such a loyal following with seriously some of the greatest supporters in the world. Y’all rallied together to selflessly help others in need and I am really proud of what we were able to accomplish in such a short period of time. I can’t imagine what those families are going through, so I find comfort in knowing that we were able to play a small part in helping them get back on their feet.
And there’s absolutely no way we would’ve been able to do any of this alone. In addition to all of you who bought the shirts, we would be remiss not to mention the others who helped make this possible. To our screener Cindy Tees for all their hard work in pumping these tees out in a timely fashion and even extending a discount to us so that we could donate even more money back to the cause. To Red Cross Hawaii for partnering with us and making the process so seamless, and for your hard work helping those in need, not only here in Hawaii, but all around the world. To Aloha Ship and Pack Mililani and EpicJunx for fulfilling these orders for us at lightning speeds. To the Navy Exchange for generously deciding to sell these at their Pearl Harbor location to reach an even greater audience. To Oshima Surf on the Big Island whom we are currently in discussions with to carry the Tee in their Big Island stores. Hopefully our Big Island visitors and residents can soon pick them up directly at their Kainaliu, Lanihau Center (Kona), Hilo, & Waimea locations! And lastly, to the wife who has steadily taken on a larger role in the company as we have grown over the years. She has been supportive of me and this little adventure since day 1 so I hope to turn this into something she and our other friends and family members can be proud of…
Ways you can continue to support:
- Kauai Flood Victims (via Hawaii News Now)
- Big Island Lava Victims (via Hawaii News Now)
- Help 4 Hawaii (KITV4)
- Big Island Lava Victims (KHON2)