Jack Johnson does his part for famine relief

A malnourished child from southern Somalia lies in Banadir hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia. (Associated Press)

HONOLULU PULSE STAFF / honolulupulse@staradvertiser.com

An announcement was made today on Jack Johnson’s website that the conscientious musician was donating $30,000 to three organizations working to provide needed help and support to the people suffering through the current drought and famine in East Africa.

In honor of UNICEF’s Month of Giving, Johnson is donating $10,000 each to UNICEF, Save the Children, and the World Food Programme, three humanitarian relief organizations who are responding to the dire food and health crisis.

Johnson is also encouraging his fans to help as well by donating online to www.unicefusa.org, www.wfp.org, and www.savethechildren.org.

On the micro-local level, he and his wife Kim’s Kokua Hawaii Foundation continues this month to help local elementary schools be environmentally aware through the plantings of gardens on their respective campuses.

From 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Ahuimanu and Waikiki Elementary Schools will prepare their gardens for fall semester plantings, and at the same time next Saturday, Aug. 27, Kainalu and Waialua Elementary Schools will follow suit.

For more information, visit the Kokua Foundation’s calendar page.