The American Red Cross and Microsoft are teaming up to help raise money to support the people and communities affected by the fires in Hawaii. In short, people can donate to the relief efforts simply by doing something they are probably already doing: playing Xbox games.
Xbox owners can convert their Microsoft Rewards points into donations for Hawaii wildfire relief efforts. For anyone just catching up, Xbox owners can join the Microsoft Rewards program (it's free), and earn points by purchasing games, playing them, and completing quests. Players can then redeem their points for things like a Game Pass membership, games and add-ons, and charitable donations like this one.
Microsoft has even introduced a promoted tile on the Xbox dashboard to help promote the initiative to support the relief efforts in Maui.
Thanks to our friends at @Xbox for activating their community to help with the #MauiFires. By playing games on Xbox you can turn your Microsoft Rewards points into donations for Hawaii wildfire relief efforts. pic.twitter.com/E7PazkjkRX
— American Red Cross Northwest Region (@RedCrossNW) August 14, 2023d
At least 99 people are confirmed to have died as a result of the fires in Lahaina, and the number could grow as recovery teams continue their efforts. Hawaii governor Josh Green told CBS Mornings, "There are more fatalities that will come."
This is the deadliest wildfire in the US in more than 100 years, dating back to fires in Minnesota and Wisconsin that killed more than 450 people in 1918.