Posted on: Friday, March 18, 2005

Red kettles coming out for tsunami aid

Advertiser Staff

The Salvation Army will sponsor a donation drive tomorrow at the Ke'eaumoku Street Wal-Mart store, with proceeds to support relief efforts for the survivors of the Indian Ocean tsunami.

Kauluwela Mission Corps youth groups will stand by the red collection kettles, usually seen only over the holidays, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Make a donation by calling (800) 725-2769, going to www.salvationarmy.org or by dropping off a check at any Salvation Army office. Checks, made payable to Salvation Army, should be marked "South Asia Relief Fund" on the memo line.

Recent efforts in the statewide tsunami relief drive include the following:

• The Hawai'i Chapter of the American Red Cross has received a donation of $73,000 raised by First Hawaiian Bank. The bank's special account for the American Red Cross International Response Fund drew public donations totalling $48,000, augmented by a $25,000 matching grant from First Hawaiian.

• The Rotary Club of Honolulu has given $20,835 to the Aloha Medical Mission for its tsunami relief work. The gift includes a $10,000 matching gift from Rotary International Foundation and $10,835 from individual Rotarians.

Other matching gifts include total donations of $1,040 from the Lions Club and its Honolulu members; $1,000 from the Rotary Club of West Kaua'i organization and members; and $7,110 from Diagnostic Laboratory Services and employees. HMSA Foundation launched the drive in January with a $20,000 grant.

• Students of Pearl Harbor Kai Elementary School collected $1,050, matched by a $1,000 grant from Star Market.