CINCINNATI, Ohio, May 22nd 2008 - As most of you already know, on May 12 at 2:28 PM local time, a strong earthquake measured 8.0 at the Richter scale struck Sichuan province in China, followed by many aftershocks, some of which measured 6.0 at the Richter scale, making this the worst earthquake in China since 1976. The death toll from this quake has passed 51,000 as of today. Nearly 300,000 people were injured, and approximately 30,000 people are still missing. Thousands of homes and hundreds of schools collapsed, leaving millions of people displaced. As many as 7,000 classrooms from various schools collapsed, burying many students and teachers. Telecom services were disrupted. Roads, factories, and other infrastructure were also severely damaged. Total economic damage is estimated around US$10 billion.
In response to this natural disaster in China, the Greater Cincinnati Chinese-American communities, consisting of more than nine organizations, quickly joined force and form the China Relief Fund. Leaders and representatives of those organization convened on May 19th to discuss how the local Chinese communities can work together to raise relief fund to help the victims of the China earthquake. The purpose of the joint efforts is to raise the public awareness of the earthquake and the relief efforts. The Greater Cincinnati China Earthquake Relief Committee (GCCERC) was formed, consisting of 1-2 representatives from each Chinese organization. A China Earthquake Relief Fund has also been set up in the US bank to accept donations. All donations will go directly to the Chinese Red Cross to help victims from the earthquake. Other longer term programs, including establishing a scholarship program to provide financial aids to the students, were also discussed at the meeting.
A series of activities have started under the leadership of the Steering Committee. Greater Cincinnati Chinese School, Huaxia Chinese School in Mason, and Univeristy of Cincinnati Chinese Students & Scholars Association – three of the participating organizations – have been raising money on their campuses. Donation boxes have also been sent to local Chinese restaurants. The highlight of this Relief Fund Campaign is a charity show to be held 7:30-9:00pm this coming Saturday at Mason High School. The show features Chinese traditional dances, folk songs and Chinese opera, performed by visiting artists from Anhui Province in China as well local performers. All proceeds will go to the China Earthquake Relief Fund. The details of this performance will be presented by the person in charge, Ms. Qihong Liao
The GCCERC also has two finance persons on board, to safeguard all donations, and to ensure that all donations will go directly to the Chinese Red Cross and to help victims from the earthquake.
In response to this natural disaster in China, the Greater Cincinnati Chinese-American communities, consisting of more than nine organizations, quickly joined force and form the China Relief Fund. Leaders and representatives of those organization convened on May 19th to discuss how the local Chinese communities can work together to raise relief fund to help the victims of the China earthquake. The purpose of the joint efforts is to raise the public awareness of the earthquake and the relief efforts. The Greater Cincinnati China Earthquake Relief Committee (GCCERC) was formed, consisting of 1-2 representatives from each Chinese organization. A China Earthquake Relief Fund has also been set up in the US bank to accept donations. All donations will go directly to the Chinese Red Cross to help victims from the earthquake. Other longer term programs, including establishing a scholarship program to provide financial aids to the students, were also discussed at the meeting.
A series of activities have started under the leadership of the Steering Committee. Greater Cincinnati Chinese School, Huaxia Chinese School in Mason, and Univeristy of Cincinnati Chinese Students & Scholars Association – three of the participating organizations – have been raising money on their campuses. Donation boxes have also been sent to local Chinese restaurants. The highlight of this Relief Fund Campaign is a charity show to be held 7:30-9:00pm this coming Saturday at Mason High School. The show features Chinese traditional dances, folk songs and Chinese opera, performed by visiting artists from Anhui Province in China as well local performers. All proceeds will go to the China Earthquake Relief Fund. The details of this performance will be presented by the person in charge, Ms. Qihong Liao
The GCCERC also has two finance persons on board, to safeguard all donations, and to ensure that all donations will go directly to the Chinese Red Cross and to help victims from the earthquake.
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