NFIA Presents Check To the Red Cross
Although the National Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIA) continues its campaign of raising funds for the Tsunami victims in India and other Asian countries, its board has decided to release these funds as they are collected. The first check of $15,000 was presented to the International Response of the American Red Cross on Friday December 14 in Washington DC. NFIA president Rajen Anand accompanied by Parthasarthy Pillai, the former chairman and Mahendra Shah, the former Treasurer of NFIA presented the check in person to Sandra Brady and Tim Wahlers at the National Headquarters of the American Red Cross.
There is no benefit for us to holding on to the money when the millions of victims of this colossal tragedy can use it immediately, said Anand. This was our first check presented to a credible relief agency. e will continue to give money to other relief organizations as we raise more funds, he added. Anand made an emotional appeal to all good hearted people to help NFIA raise additional funds.
We will honor the request of any donor as to where the money goes, pointed Radha Krishnan, the NFIA president-elect. Our goal is make sure the money reaches the poor victims and they benefit in some way from it.
Since the NFIA started this campaign as soon as the news about the earthquake appeared on Television, checks have been coming in the mail. NFIA has received money as little as $10 and as much as $500 from a very diverse group of people, Pramod Kamdar indicated. An anonymous person sent us $10 cash. We appreciate receiving any amount, large or small. Every penny helps.
Many non-Indians have poured their hearts in helping NFIA collect funds. Karen King, a Yoga teacher in Texas has collected nearly $2000 from her students for NFIA.
The NFIA aims to collect at least $100,000. The need for help will continue for a long time even after the story fades on the television set. More than 160,000 people have lost their life and millions of children have become orphans. People have lost their homes and their livelihood. It would take a great deal of effort to rehabilitate them and prevent the spread of disease.
Many local umbrella organizations are still collecting funds. The FIAs in the National Capital region, Los Angeles, San Diego, Michigan, and other cities and the Federation of Indian Community Associations (FICA) in Cleveland OH, all members of NFIA, are continuing to raise funds for this purpose. The Gandhi Foundation in Atlanta is also actively seeking funds for the tsunami victims. Many of these associations are planning to use the Republic Day celebrations to collect money.
Indo-Americans in this country are relatively well off and they display a great sense of generosity at the times of natural calamity. I am sure they will open their hearts and help the Tsunami victims, predicted Anand.
President George Bush has signed a bill extending the date from December 31 to January 31 for people to take deductions for charitable contributions. So even if you donate money now, you can take off from the 2004 taxes.
Donations for Tsunami victims can be mailed to NFIA Relief Fund, 6912 Winter Lane, Annandale VA 22003. (562) 537-1077
