From Deseret News archives:
Local Asian groups unite to help disaster victims
Representatives from the Asian communities spoke words of motivation and banded together to provide assistance for the 11 countries affected by the Dec. 26 disaster, which killed more than 150,000 people.
"No matter where we come from, or ethnic group or age, we are one community on this planet," said Zhu Hao, a member of the Asian Advisory Council. "I believe today is just the start of our donations. Every donation makes a difference."
Many Asian communities jump-started the relief project before the call to action by collecting truckloads of items necessary for survival, raising thousands of dollars and conducting prayer sessions in behalf of the victims.
The Indo-Chinese Benevolence Society already has raised more than $3,000 in tsunami relief aid, and the Vietnamese Community of Utah raised more than $2,500 and collected five truckloads of materials, said Karen Kwan, master of ceremonies.
"Thank you for this effort," said Heru Hendarato, a representative of Indonesia, whose wife is from western Sumatra, one of the areas in southern Asia most affected. "The effort to rebuild what happened will take months, even years."
As representatives from local Asian communities pledged their support, photographs of the tsunami's damage played as the backdrop. A candlelight vigil was conducted by children in remembrance of those who died.
"The epicenter (of the disaster) was in the Indian Ocean," said Edith Mitko, a representative of the Utah State Office of Asian Affairs. "The devastating toll was felt worldwide."
The memorial and fund-raising drive were organized by all of the Asian communities in Utah, Kwan said.
More than 20 organizations were represented at the memorial. The materials collected and money donated will be sent to the Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter of the American Red Cross and then shipped to the affected countries.
"We are a loving community," said Eunice Jones, a representative from the Philippine American Association of Utah. "We will do everything we can to rebuild their lives. We will all work together for one common goal."
Community members wanting to donate to the Utah Asian tsunami fund-raising drive can call 466-5366.
E-mail: liorg@desnews.com
