Wayne residents can help tsunami aid effort
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on December 30, 2004 2:01 PM
People wanting to help victims of the tsunami may do so through the American Red Cross.
The Wayne County Chapter has received several monetary donations already, said Chuck Waller, the director. It will continue taking donations as long as there is a need, he said.
Donations may be cash or check. If writing a check, make it out to the American Red Cross and on the memo line, write "tsunami disaster" to make sure it goes specifically for the tsunami victims, said Teresa Williams, disaster chairman.
The Red Cross is currently taking only monetary donations.
As of Wednesday, Americans had given about $18 million to the Red Cross for disaster relief for the tsunami victims.
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Society have partnered in the southern Asia and eastern Africa regions to mobilize staff members and volunteers to deploy to the areas affected by the tsunami. Volunteers will go to these countries to provide emergency assistance and first aid.
And the American Red Cross will send relief supplies, personnel and financial assistance to these countries. The Red Cross is working with other disaster relief agencies to distribute a stockpile of relief supplies that is in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This includes tents, blankets, tarps, plastic sheeting and hygiene kits.
Also, an American Red Cross emergency response unit, specializing and trained in relief supply distribution, will be deployed to the affected areas within the next day or two.
In a press release, Marsha J. Evans, president and chief executive officer of the American Red Cross, said she wants to "assure donors that their contributions to the International Response Fund will be used to meet the needs of the tsunami victims."
For more information about making a donation to the Red Cross, contact the Wayne County Chapter at 735-7201.