January 7, 2005

South Bay fundraising efforts aid tsunami relief

Shown above is a general view of the scene at the Marina Beach in Madras, Dec. 26, after tidal waves hit the region. Tidal waves devastated the southern Indian coastline. Disaster struck just after dawn as the result of a magnitude 9 earthquake in Indonesia.

The December 26 southeast Asia earthquake and Tsunami death toll stands at 150,000 and rising at press time. As the world community struggles to come to grips with the immense tragedy many are reaching into their pockets to help survivors. Here in the south Bay the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce raised $141,000 with a hastily thrown together telethon, and school children in Campbell and the world over are holding bake sales, etc. to donate to victims.

The tsunami formed after a magnitude 9 earthquake struck six miles deep beneath the Indian Ocean off the coast of Indonesia—the most powerful quake recorded in nearly 40 years. The subsequent shift in a 620-mile section of geological plate triggered the massive 20-foot high walls of water that raced from the epicenter to Southern Asia shorelines, including Thailand, Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka at more than 500 mph.

For more information on tsunami victims or to make donations, visit www.sjchamber.com where a scrolling link to the American Red Cross appears on their homepage. Donations may also be made through the American Red Cross by calling (408) 577-1000 or going to www.santaclaravalley.redcross.org.

A toll free number has been established by the State Department to field reports of missing U.S. citizens. Of nearly 20,000 reports to date, 5,000 remain unaccounted for. Family members are encouraged to call (888) 407-4747 toll free within the United States or (317) 472-2328 if overseas to report information about missing loved ones.