Among the businesses that have donated to the Samoa Offering Hope (S.O.H) campaign is McDonald’s Family Restaurant, and with only a few days left in the campaign, McDonald’s Family Restaurant president and owner, Tautolo Aogaleatu Charlie Tautolo presented WST5,000 to help out families and businesses affected by the fire at the Savalalo Market.

“I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the McDonald’s management team to present this check,” says Tautolo. According to the Samoa Observer, Tautolo was happy when he was contacted by Kruse and her association for assistance.

Upon receiving the check Kruse said, “We appreciate this generous gift put together with all the other generous souls in Samoa. We know we can make a difference. We really thank you and McDonald’s for caring and hearing the call.” She also stated that SOH has raised WST30,000 so far and this Friday (Samoa Time) is the deadline and members of the public can still donate.

Tautolo told her how impressed he is with the work S.O.H has done. “McDonald’s would like to thank you for all that you have done for the Market stall owners and you will continue to have our support,” Tautolo said.

Earlier this month, Samoa News learned that SOH had received donations from the Samoa Commercial Bank and Federal Pacific Insurance for the Flea Market victims. Samoa Commercial Bank President, Lemalu Ray Ah Liki, presented their donation of WST5,000 and the bank applauded the initiative by SOH. “We are glad to be a partner of this good cause and wish all the victims of the Flea Market fire the very best,” said Lemalu.

General Manager of Federal Pacific, Namulauulu Leota Sami, made a similar gesture with a donation of WST20,000. In support of the initiative by SOH, Federal Pacific Insurance decided to present their donation directly to the business operators of the Flea Market at the Flea Market site.

From the more than 200 plus operators, 50 names were picked out of a hat and they received $400 each. “We distribute this donation to some of the fire victims of the Flea Market, who are producing four different services of producing handicrafts, elei designed materials, food stalls and shops, with the hope that it would assist them in rebuilding their livelihoods,” said Namulauulu.

SOH Chairperson Kruse, who is also the president of Samoa Hotel Association, was present at each occasion and thanked them for their invaluable support. “SOH recognizes the importance of the Flea Market as an iconic representation of culture, which benefits many of our people in the rural areas whose livelihood are dependent on this center of commerce to sell their genuine Samoan creations to tourists. SOH encourages all to offer hope to our people whose work is critical to the tourism sector and the nation's receipts,” she said.