‘Personal affinity’ spurs advisor to help Maui wildfire recovery

investmentnews.com:

One of Greg Friedman’s favorite photos from his many visits to Maui over the last four decades is an image of his father and his then five-year-old twins at the Lahaina train station.

The historic Hawaiian town was destroyed last week by wildfires that killed 110 people on the island. The devastation moved Friedman to launch his own fundraising campaign within Wealthspire Advisors, where he serves as chief strategy officer.

Friedman offered a dollar-for-dollar match for donations from Wealthspire employees who work in the firm’s west region, which stretches along the West Coast from Seattle to Southern California. So far, the effort has raised $30,000.

In addition to his travels to Maui, Friedman’s ocean-conversation work has a Hawaiian dimension. He serves on the board of the Marine Mammal Center, which has made protecting the Hawaiian monk seal one of its priorities. He also has clients in Hawaii.

“It’s my personal affinity for Hawaii,” Friedman said. “My heart goes out to the islanders, and this was my way of trying to help.”

The situation in Hawaii reminds Friedman of the wildfires that tore through northern California several years ago. He is based in San Raphael, north of San Francisco.

“This is hauntingly similar,” he said. “That’s exactly what happened here. Fires just took off and caused devastation that nobody really anticipated could happen.”

As Maui residents try to rebuild their lives, advisors can help in ways beyond charitable contributions, Friedman said. For instance, they can lend a hand in connecting victims to government, insurance and philanthropic assistance.

“The advisor can help navigate and research resources,” Friedman said. “We can bring experience to bear.”

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