By Daily Press staff
Due to the overwhelming outpouring of support for the victims of the Southeast Asia earthquake and tsunami, the Red Cross of Santa Monica has opened a toll-free hot-line to assist residents who want to donate to the disaster victims.
So far, Santa Monica residents have donated in upwards of $133,000 toward the effort, according to John Pacheco, executive director the Santa Monica Red Cross chapter.
“It’s been just amazing,” he said. “The outpouring has been so significant that our regular phone lines aren’t able to handle it.”
The hotline will be open over the New Year’s holiday to help process donations and provide updated information on the disaster. The Santa Monica chapter also will be open for those who wish to make donations in person.
To donate, residents are urged to call 1-866-733-5010. Donations can also be made in person at the Red Cross office located at 1450 11th St., or online at www.red-crossofsantamonica.org.
Checks should be made payable to the American Red Cross Southeast Asia Earthquake/Tsunami Relief Effort.
In support of the effort, the American Red Cross already has deployed personnel to hard-hit Sri Lanka and Indonesia. Additional volunteers and employees trained in disaster relief and tracing are preparing to leave within the next few days. The Red Cross is preparing to ship $350,000 in relief supplies such as plastic sheeting, family-size tents and hygiene kits.
The best way to get help to Southern Asia is with cash contributions to the American Red Cross International Response Fund. With funding, most relief supplies can be purchased in the affected areas. Contributions not only help the economies of the affected countries, but also save huge shipping costs and ensure that the supplies are culturally appropriate.
The complexities of this disaster, the number of countries and people affected, the vast geographical area, and the roster of agencies and governments involved in the response are virtually unprecedented. For this reason, American Red Cross involvement and needs will change and expand over time, officials said.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 1, 2005. Read the original PDF.