Matthew McConaughey and his family are pitching in to do their part in aiding victims of the Maui wildfire disaster, which has since become the deadliest fire on United States soil in more than a century.
The actor and his son, Levi McConaughey, took to social media to share a video explaining how they planned to fund efforts to get victims of the fire on the island state of Hawaii the necessities they so desperately need.
The devastation on the Hawaiian island of Maui began on Aug. 8, 2023, when simultaneous wildfires began spreading erratically. It quickly spread to residential areas, engulfing homes and forcing hundreds to flee the flames. Alongside gusting winds, the fires spread with great speed, particularly in Lahaina, on the island’s northwest.
“When the winds rose up – winds gusting as high as 81 mph – fires spread rapidly,” Hawaii Governor Josh Green said in an update on Aug. 13, 2023. “We believe between 60 mph and 81 mph across that part of the island, and that meant that fire traveled one mile every minute.”
According to Green, the fires had destroyed or damaged about 2,200 structures in western Maui, with 86% of the structures being residential.
Thousands of residents have also been displaced by the fires, with many seeking safety at emergency evacuation shelters. According to the County of Maui Facebook page, firefighting efforts are continuing as the distribution of supplies is being undertaken to help victims.
On Aug. 15, 2023, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) shared an update on social media indicating it had “more than 300 FEMA employees and 140 search and rescue team members deployed — with more on the way — to assist Hawaii residents in their greatest time of need.”
The devastation in Hawaii has elicited an overwhelming response from members of the public eager to help victims and extend aid to those battling the fire. Among those moved to support the efforts were the McConaugheys. Matthew has a history of being vocal about certain issues and helping out during natural disasters in the past, such as in the wake of the 2022 school shooting in his hometown of Uvalde and the 2021 winter storm Uri. Matthew is so set on using his high profile for good that he and his wife, Camila Alves, launched their own charitable institution called the just keep livin Foundation in 2010, which is focused on improving the lives of high school students. In November 2021, Matthew was even named “Philanthropist of the Year” by The Hollywood Reporter.
Matthew and Camila have three children; 15-year-old son Levi, 13-year-old daughter Vida and 10-year-old son Livingstone McConaughey. As his older children enter young adulthood, Matthew has been thrilled by the changing nature of his relationship with them.
“We’re just getting into those teen years. That’s a whole new rollercoaster,” he told the Dear Chelsea podcast. “With (Levi and Vida) it’s getting to that age where I’m starting to become their buddy a little bit, which is cool… We can just talk, where I’m not teaching, I’m not talking as the parent, we’re just jiving.”
He added: “I noticed early on that these young people are who they are. I can shepherd them, nudge them. I can put in front of them what lights their fire and try to keep them from hurting themselves too bad, but other than that they are who they are. … Hopefully, they can get out of the house confident, having an idea of who the hell they are and who they’re not.”
Matthew’s parenting skills appear to be working their magic as his son Levi joined him in a social media video to announce their efforts to aid victims of the Maui fires. Seated side by side, Matthew began by saying he and his family were saddened by the situation.
“The fires over there have put so many people out of home and have taken so many lives. These people need to stablize to stay alive,” the actor said. He then revealed their plan of action and listed a number of organizations through which the public could donate or lend a helping hand to the victims of the fires.
“Camila, myself and Levi are working with this organization called Baby2Baby. They are working with partners that are on the ground in Maui right now saying, ‘This is what people need right now. This is what the most needy people need.’ “If you’d like to help, check out Baby2Baby. See the work they’re doing or any other way you can help. There’s a lot of help that’s needed,” Matthew stated.
Levi echoed his father’s sentiments and piped up to say:
“Yeah, they’re going to need it for the long-term, so any way you guys can help, it’s appreciated.”
The caption of the video also revealed that the McConaugheys were funding an emergency aid plane with Baby2Baby “filled with hundreds of thousands more emergency supplies that will have an immediate impact on children and families on Maui.”
As of Aug. 15, 2023, the death toll of the Maui fires had hit 106, according to Maui County officials. As the firefighting efforts continued, those with family members or loved ones still missing have been urged to provide the authorities with DNA samples to speed up the identification process.
What are your thoughts on Matthew McConaughey and his family’s efforts to aid victims of the Maui fires? Did the news help lift your spirits? If so, let us know, then pass this along to family members and friends, too.
