Oprah Winfrey (69) is helping in Hawaii after the forest fires there. The former talk show host helped distribute supplies at War Memorial Stadium on the island of Maui. After the devastating natural disaster, the stadium was quickly converted into a center for evacuated residents. “It’s a little overwhelming,” Winfrey told the BBC.
She was “really happy that so many people are helping and supporting”. Everyone would just bring what they could spare and do whatever they could to help those affected. Winfrey himself lives partly on the island of Maui: “I came here earlier now and looked at what was needed.” Then she bought the right things. She brought pillows, shampoo, diapers, sheets and pillowcases. “A lot of people donate clothes or whatever, but that’s often not what’s needed,” Winfrey said.
A spokesman for the US TV icon also confirmed to People magazine that she visited a local emergency shelter to see first-hand what is most needed. She then shopped at Walmart and Costco. “It’s heartbreaking, it’s shattering. She will do even more when it becomes clear what tools can be most helpful for short-term and long-term recovery,” her representative said.
Devastating forest fires have been blazing on Maui for days, which could not be completely extinguished by the weekend. As the authorities reported on Saturday morning, the fires have so far claimed 67 lives. First residents can return to their homes at the weekend. However, according to the US media on TV station KHON2, Hawaii’s governor Josh Green warned those returning with impressive words: “You will see a degree of destruction like never before in your life.”
