As the number of tsunami casualties continue to grow in South Asia, so do the donations from around the world.
In Oxford, Doctors Colleen Trombley and Marc VanHoogstraat, of Chiropractic USA, have vowed to help the Red Cross relief efforts by offering a fund-raising challenge to their patients and the community.
In their office, the doctors have a simple change jar for donations and a message book filled with local love.
Suggested by staff member Kimberly Donnely, Dr. Trombly explained the book contains messages of heartfelt concern and prayers for the hundreds of thousands of victims who were affected by the world’s most powerful earthquake in 40 years and the resulting tsunami more than 10 days ago.
As she thumbs through the pages of the book, Dr. Trombly reflects on how amazed she is at the compassion of the community.
‘It’s amazing what comes out of people’s hearts,? she said. ‘When we heard what happened we were so overwhelmed by the magnitude of destruction and how insignificant we felt. ?
‘We just couldn’t think of anything big enough to do to help, but we knew we had the biggest givers in this country, right here in this community.?
In addition, Dr. VanHoogstraat said that often people want to help but are not sure how or where, which led the couple to serve as a local site for collecting relief funds.
‘If this is the way we can help we will,? he said, adding that the change jug will be in the office until the end of the month, at which time the partners will match the dollar amount in the jar.
‘It takes events like these to put things in perspective,? Dr. VanHoogstraat said.
Because the affected countries cover such a vast geographical area, Angela Bermudez, spokesperson for the southeastern Michigan Red Cross said financial support is preferred. The Red Cross established the South Asian Relief Fund which will insure that 100 percent of the funds will be used toward helping victims of this disaster.
‘Money, rather than supplies, is a more efficient way of (purchasing) supplies from areas nearest to the regions, which also helps their economy, and provides a more immediate response with badly-needed food and water,? Bermudez said.
According to Bermudez, 100 percent of the South Asian Relief Fund will be used toward water sanitation, mass feeding, shelter, and family re-unifications in each area.
For further information on how to contribute locally, contact Chiropractic USA at (248) 628-4886 or call the Red Cross Tsunami Relief Line at (313) 833-2664.