The American Red Cross recently provided disaster aid kits for the Tritons Helping Tritons program at the University of Guam. The program allows the UOG Community to offer aid to UOG employees who were among the hardest hit by Typhoon Mawar. From left, Sinajana Mayor Robert Hofmann, a Red Cross representative, and Director Austin J. Shelton of the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant. Photo courtesy of Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant.

Though the employees had the devastation at home to think about, they reported for work on the first day that the University of Guam's essential employees were needed for the cleanup and recovery.

This gesture of selflessness prompted staff members of the Office of the President to begin thinking about how to coordinate help for typhoon-devastated employees.

The account of more employees whose homes are no longer livable or who could use help with necessities like portable gas stoves, cooking fuel canisters, batteries, and tarps – inspired the creation of “Tritons Helping Tritons.”

In just a few days, “Tritons Helping Tritons” was launched and now provides a mechanism for UOG employees, alumni and others in the UOG Community to give help.

Tritons Helping Tritons also provided some of the hardest-hit employees to seek help and indicate what items they need help with the most – in a discreet way.

In less than a week of its launch, “Tritons Helping Tritons” has received various donations from canned food to cash to essentials like canisters of cooking fuel.

The American Red Cross also provided disaster aid kits for people who sought help through the "Tritons Helping Tritons" program, with the coordination by Director Austin Shelton of the UOG Center for Island Sustainability.

There’s still time to help or get help.

From now until June 22, donations can be brought to the Office of the President located at the School of Business and Public Administration.

Find out how you can help or if you need help

---