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To:
The Phillips Academy Community
From: Chad Green, Director of Community Service
Final
Update: April 5, 2005
On
behalf of the Phillips Academy Tsunami Relief Committee, I am
pleased to announce that the academy has surpassed its fund-raising
goal of $10,000.
Just
days after the tsunami struck southeast Asia, members of the community
began donating money to aid the relief effort. The school raised
a total of $10,906. Contributions were made either directly to
organizations involved in the relief efforts or to PA’s
Tsunami Relief Fund.
As
indicated in our fund-raising plan, the money collected will or
has been distributed to the following organizations, which were
researched and selected by students and faculty:
• The American Red Cross:
$985 was distributed to the American Red Cross in the immediate
aftermath of the tsunami.
The
remaining $9,921 will be distributed evenly among the remaining
four organizations:
• Americares: Founded
by Robert Conover Macauley '41, Americares “is a nonprofit
disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization providing immediate
response to emergency medical needs, as well as supporting longterm
humanitarian assistance programs, for all people around the world,
irrespective of race, creed or political persuasion. Americares
solicits donations of medicine, medical supplies and other relief
materials from U.S. and international manufacturers and delivers
them quickly and efficiently to indigenous health care and welfare
professionals around the world.”
• UNICEF: “UNICEF
is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate
for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic
needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential.”
The organization accomplishes this through programs that focus
on girls’ education, AIDS and HIV, child protection and
early childhood.
• The Sri Lanka Tsunami Relief Fund: Run by the Dharma Vijay
Buddhist Vihara in Los Angeles, the money contributed to this
fund will go immediately for purchasing food and medicine in Sri
Lanka and will later go directly to the Sri Lankan rebuilding
efforts. Our contribution will specifically support the construction
of one or two homes.
• Asha for Education:
This is a secular organization dedicated to change in India by
focusing on basic education in the belief that education is a
critical requisite for socioeconomic change. PA biology instructor
Raj Mundra continues to work with this organization and its partners.
Funds will go toward midterm construction and sanitation efforts,
and later toward longterm rehabilitation efforts. Its Web site
emphasizes the organization's direct connection to the area and
highlights its progress.
A
fund-raising initiative of this magnitude was made possible through
both the tremendous generosity of our community and the tireless
efforts of many students, faculty and staff. Perhaps even more
significant than the final dollar amount raised is the fact that
literally hundreds of individuals contributed to our efforts.
I
would like to thank many student groups, organizations, clusters
and individuals who helped to organize unique fund-raising initiatives
and to plan and execute the accompanying educational events. These
include the music department, Harold Decker (former CEO of the
American Red Cross and a PA parent), Henry Francis (PA parent),
Clare Sisisky, Carroll Perry, Eli Lazarus, Eddy '07, student activities
office, dean of students’ office, Indo Pak, and Abbot, West
Quad North and West Quad South clusters.
Special
thanks go to the core group of students, faculty and staff who
spearheaded the PA tsunami relief effort: David Chase, Kennan
Daniel, Bobby Edwards, Marlys Edwards, Susie Flug, Andrew Gully,
Pawina '06, Prateek '07, Alex '05, Kit Leckerling, 'Cilla Bonney-Smith,
Raj Mundra, Aya Murata, Tana Sherman, Bobby '05, Becky Sykes and
Neville '05.
The
recovery process in southeast Asia continues. Please take time
to visit the Web sites of our selected recipient organizations
to learn more about the status of reconstruction efforts. As members
of a community with tremendous resources, we share a special responsibility
to continue to look outward and act on behalf of our local and
global community.
January
26, 2005
As
of Jan. 26, the Phillips Academy community has raised $3,825 toward
tsunami relief. Many thanks are due to the individuals, clubs,
clusters, organizations, dorms and teams that have contributed
in both large and small ways toward this fundraising effort.
In
the remaining weeks of our winter trimester, there are several
events that will afford members of the community opportunities
to both support the aid and reconstruction efforts now underway
across South East Asia as well as learn more about this disaster
and its impact on our world. Stay tuned for updated listings of
events in the coming weeks.
Upcoming
Tsunami Relief and Education Events:
- Sunday,
Jan. 30— Benefit Faculty Concerto Concert in celebration
of the birthday of Mozart, 3 p.m. in Cochran Chapel. The public
is invited to attend.
-
Wednesday, Feb. 9—All-school meeting speaker: Harold
Decker, former CEO of the American Red Cross
- Wednesday,
Feb. 9—Lunch with Harold Decker, Ropes Dining Hall,
noon-1:30 p.m.
- Thursday,
Feb. 10—Tsunami Panel Discussion, 6:30–7:45
p.m. in Kemper Auditorium: An exploration of the tsunami disaster
from a variety of perspectives. Panelists will include Henry
Francis, a doctor currently working with World Visions in Sri
Lanka; Fr. Francisco Nahoe, OFM Conv., Catholic chaplain; Caroll
Perry, instructor in history and social science; and Eli Lazarus,
teaching fellow in English, geologist; and Edward '07. The public
is invited to attend.
- Saturday,
Feb. 19—Indo-Pak Benefit Dinner, Underwood Room. Seatings
tentatively scheduled for 5:30 and 7 p.m.
- Friday,
March 4—West
Quad North Charity Fashion Show, Lower Right in Commons
-
Saturday, March 5—West Quad South Charity Casino
Night, Lower Right in Commons
Recipient
Organizations:
After
much research and deliberation, the Tsunami Relief committee decided
to divide the funds collected under the “PA Tsunami Relief”
banner between five organizations:
- Americares:
Founded by Robert Conover Macauley ’41, Americares “
is a nonprofit disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization
providing immediate response to emergency medical needs, as
well as supporting long-term humanitarian assistance programs,
for all people around the world, irrespective of race, creed
or political persuasion. AmeriCares solicits donations of medicines,
medical supplies and other relief materials from U.S. and international
manufacturers, and delivers them quickly and efficiently to
indigenous health care and welfare professionals around the
world.”
- UNICEF:
“UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly
to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help
meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to
reach their full potential.” The organization accomplishes
this through a host of programs that focus, for example, on
girls' education, AIDS and HIV, child protection and early childhood.
- The
American Red Cross: “The American Red Cross, a humanitarian
organization led by volunteers, guided by its Congressional
Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International
Red Cross Movement … provides relief to victims of disasters,
helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.”
- The
Sri Lanka Tsunami Relief Fund: Run by the Dharma Vijay Buddhist
Vihara in Los Angeles, the money contributed to this fund will
go immediately for purchasing food and medicine in Sri Lanka
and will later go directly to the Sri Lankan rebuilding efforts.
Through a PA student contact, we have learned that a contribution
of approximately $2,000 would support the construction of one
home.
- Asha
for Education: This is a secular organization dedicated
to change in India by focusing on basic education in the belief
that education is a critical requisite for socioeconomic change.
Raj Mundra, instructor in biology, has a direct connection with
this organization and its partners. Their efforts are focused
on immediate food and shelter needs. Soon they will turn to
mid-term construction and sanitation efforts, and later on long-term
rehabilitation efforts. Their Web site emphasizes their direct
connection to the area and highlights their progress.
The
PA Tsunami Relief Committee welcomes the participation, contributions
and thoughts of all. Please be in touch with Chad
Green with questions, concerns or suggestions.
Jan.
14, 2005
The
Phillips Academy Tsunami Relief efforts are now in full swing.
The following provides a brief synopsis of initiatives currently
underway. Please contact Chad
Green if you have any ideas, questions or concerns to contribute.
Fundraising:
We have currently raised over $3,000 toward our initial fundraising
goal of $10,000. In the coming weeks, there will be numerous opportunities
for members of the community to contribute, including at previously
scheduled events. A full calendar of such events will be made
available in the next week.
Many
faculty and staff have inquired as to where their contributions
might make the greatest impact. Students and faculty are currently
selecting a short list of organizations to which the PA Tsunami
Relief funds will be designated. This list will reflect our ongoing
relationships with organizations involved in the relief effort,
as well as personal connections that members of our community
have in the affected countries.
If
you would like to give now, there are several ways to do so:
-
Contribute cash or a check to the Phillips Academy collection
effort. These contributions can be made in the Dean of Students
Office in GW or at several on-campus events. Just look for collection
boxes with the PA Tsunami Relief logo. Checks should be written
to “The Trustees of Phillips Academy” and “For
Tsunami Relief” should be noted on the memo line of the
check.
- Contribute
directly to a worthy organization involved in the recovery and
reconstruction efforts. There are many such organizations. Well
established charities include:
Americares
Oxfam America
UNICEF
The American Red Cross
We
encourage all donors to investigate and learn more about the organizations
to which they are donating. The following websites provide comprehensive
evaluations of several organizations involved in the relief efforts
(including those listed above):
charitynavigator.org
networkforgood.org
charitywatch.org
interaction.org
Education:
In addition to our fund-raising efforts, there will be several
opportunities to learn more about the incredible impact of this
disaster on individuals, communities, the environment and our
world as a whole. Current plans include an all-school meeting
devoted to the topic in early February and a panel discussion
open to the public.
If
you are interested in helping to execute our initiatives, please
e-mail Chad Green. On
behalf of all who are organizing our response, thank you.
Jan.
7, 2005
We
are now at the stage where we are moving beyond words and into
works!
We
have created five action teams, each headed by either a student,
a faculty member or some combination of both. (The community service
faculty will assist where needed). If you believe you can contribute
in any way to any one of these groups, please contact the team
leader directly.
1.
Publicity (Prateek '07 and Tana Sherman): This group will work
to maintain the distribution of information regarding our efforts
on campus.
2.
Collection Efforts (Neville '05): This group will be constructing
collection vessels to be used throughout the term at a variety
of campus events. Once these are created, this group will
begin to think about consolidating a calendar of such events.
They will also possibly begin to work toward the creation of a
unique fundraising idea to promote giving. Our initial fundraising
goal for the winter term is $10,000 ... a goal that we should
strive to surpass.
3.
Recipient Organizations (Susie Flug): This group will work on
creating a small but diverse list of organizations to which funds
from our general PA collection will go. Once this list is created,
the group will work to establish and maintain relationships with
the selected organizations.
4.
All School Meeting (Raj Mundra and Chad Green): This group will
work to plan for an all-school meeting (tentatively Feb. 2 or
9) that focuses on the aftermath of the disaster. We are striving
to bring an outside speaker who perhaps represents one of the
charities with whom we will partner or an individual (governmental
representative or journalist) who has witnessed the devastation
firsthand.
5.
On Campus Panel Discussion (Pawina '06, Bobby '05, Alex '05):
This group will plan a panel discussion, open to the public, that
will address various aspects of the disaster (scientific, environmental,
social, economic, religious, etc.).
If
you have any questions, concerns or suggestions, please contact
Chad Green at 978-749-4139 or by
e-mail.
Jan.
5, 2005
The tsunami disaster that devastated southeast Asia, the worst
natural disaster of our time, has resulted in more than 150,000
lives lost and billions of dollars in damage. People around the
world are asking, “What can I do to help?” In the
tradition of non sibi, several Phillips Academy students
initiated a meeting of faculty, staff and students this week to
plan both immediate and long-range responses to aid international
relief efforts. The Community Service program and the Dean of
Students Office are coordinating this response.
Right
now, it is clear that monetary donations are most critical. Donations
from the PA community will be collected in the Dean of Students
Office on the ground floor of George Washington Hall. In addition,
many winter term campus events may include opportunities to contribute.
Individuals wishing to donate through the campus initiative may
give in one of three forms: cash; a check made out to “Trustees
of Phillips Academy” (with the words “for tsunami
relief” written on the memo line of the check); or a check
made out to a particular relief charity, which will be forwarded
to that charity. A list of such charities is available on the
CNN
Web site or on Boston.com.
Members of the PA community are also welcome to send donations
directly to the relief organizations of their choice.
A
group of students will be working with the community service program
to investigate possible recipients for the PA collection and to
explore long-term relief efforts. In addition to raising funds,
the PA community will consider the larger implications of the
disaster and will explore opportunities, such as campus speakers,
to learn more about the affected region, as well as how we might
continue our involvement during the long-term process of recovery
and reconstruction.
On behalf of the students, staff and faculty organizing our community
response, thank you for your consideration, contributions and
effort.
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