Members of the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA), including real estate professionals in West Maui, are working to help a family of 11 whose home burned down on May 4 on Kea Street in Kahului.

“Please join us in collecting donations. This family will need your kokua and all the help you can give,” said Alexandra D. Schaub, the AREAA Aloha Chapter president.

Schaub recently spent a half-day with the family shopping for bare necessities – mainly clothes and blankets for all 11 family members.

She said, “This is just the beginning. While we cannot replace any of the lost memorabilia, we sure can create a new memorable beginning by showing we care. It is so important for this family to know they are not out there all alone. The generosity of giving, however small or big, goes a long way.”

The AREAA Aloha Chapter has donation drop-off locations set up on Maui and Oahu to collect non-monetary donations and gift cards (Costco, Walmart, Target, Home Depot, Safeway, Foodland, etc.) Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. until May 28.

The Maui collection points are Old Republic Title and Escrow in Napili (contact Mellissa Salvador at 661-1999), Fidelity National Title and Escrow in Kahului (contact Pam Teal or Mercy Palmer at 446-8200), Title Guaranty Hawaii in Kahului (call Kristine Wong at 265-4227) and Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Loans in South Maui (call Dan Bardenhagen at 891-6075).

On Saturday, May 30, at 10 a.m., volunteers will present all collected donations to the family at 403 Kea St.