Area residents raise funds for Tsunami victims

By JoAn Bjarko
North Forty News

During the past two months, Americans of all ages have put themselves to the task of raising funds for Southeast Asians who are trying to put their lives together following the Dec. 26 tsunami.

On Feb. 5, Andy Grant of Grant Family Farms in Wellington, and friends Nick DiGiorgio, Brian Robinson, Mike Bartolementi and Damon Dettmering traveled to Thailand to offer their help directly to the survivors. They have traveled to this area before and have an understanding of the people.

Before leaving, they collected clothing and donations from business associates, friends and the community. Poudre High School offered its help, and Grant, a PHS graduate, matched their donations. PHS donated clothing, $500 from the student council and $850 from teachers. The travelers also left with a $970 donation from the Buckeye community.

Area youngsters also found creative ways for fund-raising. Trevor and Rebecca Sage, students at Eyestone Elementary, celebrated their birthdays without presents for themselves this year. They hosted a roller-skating party, asking guests to bring a check made payable to the Centennial Chapter of the American Red Cross for tsunami relief efforts. By the end of the party, the children had collected $500.

In Livermore, elementary students organized a garage sale with many of the children donating their toys. They also sold food and hoped to raise $100. Instead, they brought in $1,032.78, which the Bohemian Foundation matched. Their funds went to Save the Children.

During his trip to Thailand, Grant e-mailed messages and photos back to friends. Here is part of his report: "Newspaper accounts and video footage could not prepare one for the scope and magnitude of the tsunami disaster. As we approached Khao Lak, we passed the point where video footage was shot of the tsunami wave as it approached the beach. The wave was about 35 feet high as it hit the shore and pummeled everything in its wake. The five-star hotels are now just hollowed out shells of what they once were. We walked through empty swimming pools littered with debris, piles of shoes that people once wore, empty hotel rooms with books left unread, children's dolls and toys strewn about and other evidence of lives once lived."

Grant and his fellow travelers now hope to raise more funds for the victims, particularly for fishing boats so the families can make a living again. A new boat and a motor costs about $3,000.