Students Mobilize for Tsunami Relief Fund
In response to the devastation caused by the tsunami disaster in the Indian Ocean, Alma’s Student Congress has created a Tsunami Relief Task Force (TRTF) charged with mobilizing the Alma College campus to contribute to the relief effort.
Aid is desperately needed both in the short and long terms; specifically, international relief organizations need money to help clothe, feed, and provide shelter to the victims of this terrible disaster. Students have organized the first event for Thursday, Jan. 20, from 8-10 p.m. when volunteers go door to door to collect cans and donations.
All of the collected donations go to the American Red Cross Relief Effort. The Red Cross uses 100% of the money it receives to support its relief effort operations. According to organizers, even a small donation can make a big difference: $2 buys a sleeping mat, $5 buys a mosquito net, essential in areas where malaria is a common disease. A kitchen set for a family of five costs $15 and a waterproof tent for a family of five costs $175.
Organizers intend to stage more events soon, including a 50/50 raffle in February.
The day after Christmas a tsunami, triggered by a massive earthquake off the coast of Indonesia slammed into coastal communities in the Indian Ocean. More than 150,000 people are estimated to have died and millions more are homeless; thousands are orphaned children. The worst hit countries appear to be Sri Lanka, Thailand, India, and Indonesia where more than 70% of the people in some coastal villages are reported to be dead.
Individuals and organizations interested in becoming involved can contact TRTF at 06afwill@alma.edu, Subject heading Attn: TRTF.
Posted: Mon, January 17th, 2005 at 1:42PM
