Tag: maui wildfires

Texans K Ka’imi Fairbairn pledging field goals, extra points to help rebuild Maui

Houston Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn is pledging his extra points and field goals to raise money to help rebuild Maui following the wildfires.

Maui suffered an immense disaster with the wildfires that struck Hawaii’s big island in mid-August.

Houston Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn, who was born in Kailua on O’ahu, is using his platform in the NFL to help the residents tasked with an arduous and emotional rebuilding process.

According to Fairbairn’s Instagram, the Texans kicker will donate $250 per made field goal and $100 per made extra point to rebuild Maui in partnership with the Lonomai Foundation.

Texans special teams coach Frank Ross told reporters Aug. 24 that Fairbairn’s efforts to help Maui are, “just a small representation of who he is.”

“That’s who he is every day,” Ross said. “I mean, the guy has such a high level of care for human and that’s who he is.”

While Ross admitted to never venturing out from the United States’ mainland in his life, he nevertheless could appreciate Fairbairn using his platform in the NFL to help the state where he grew up.

“God bless him and for anyone impacted for ‘Imi’ [Fairbairn] and part of our country, I hope everything can back on their feet as soon as possible so that’s fantastic that he’s doing that,” said Ross.

Fairbairn graduated from Punahou High School in Honolulu as a star in football and water polo.

“Hopefully everyone that’s out there that saw that can help contribute for him and Hawaii,” Ross said.

To learn more, visit rebuildingmaui.org

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Former Saints LB Manti Te’o rallying support for Maui wildfire relief

Former Saints linebacker Manti Te’o rallying support for Maui wildfire relief, Chargers pledge to donate 50/50 raffle ticket proceeds from upcoming preseason game:

This is good to see: former New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Manti Te’o is working to bring relief to his home state in the wake of deadly wildfires that devastated the island of Maui. Born and raised on the nearby island Oahu, Te’o shared an emotional response to the natural disaster while encouraging fans to support relief efforts.

“I was fortunate to grow up experiencing the incredible bond of a community and the hospitality we, as Hawaiians, proudly share with the rest of the world,” Te’o said in a statement through the Chargers team website. “It’s been extremely heartening to see people from all walks of life rally around my people and return that love and support. In life there are things that we simply cannot control, but what we can control is how we respond. This weekend is an opportunity for our Chargers ‘ohana to respond; to come together and assist Maui in its time of need.”

Initially picked by the Chargers in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft, Te’o played a critical role for the Saints as a backup in the 2017, 2018, and 2019 seasons, though he finished his career with the Chicago Bears in 2020. He’s since retired, started a family, and enjoyed a warm welcome at his Notre Dame alma mater.

The Chargers say they plan to donate $50,000 as well as their portion of 50/50 raffle ticket sales from Sunday’s preseason game towards Maui wildfire relief efforts through their Chargers Impact Fund; proceeds from the 50/50 raffle will go towards the American Red Cross. Fans can purchase raffle tickets when gates open at SoFi Stadium on Sunday until the end of the third quarter, with the winner and final total announced in the fourth quarter.

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