Burnsville locals join effort to aid tsunami victims this week

Eagan my be a world away from the recent tsunami in Asia, but some residents and businesses were still touched by the disaster.

Whether giving money, food or helpful technology, these locals are stepping up to help with the relief effort.

MONEY
Originally from Sri Lanka, Eagan residents Prabath and Yathika Perera were shocked by the devastation wrought byt he tsunami.  In Sri Lanka alone, more than 30,000 people have been killed by waves that hit the island two hours after the earthquake.

The Pereras still have family in Sri Lanka, but they were not impacted because they live inland, away from the coast.  But they do have friends who were affected.

"Luckily none of them have been affected," he said.  "But we know quite a few people who have been affected."

He said he has been impressed with the outpouring of support from around the world. 

"It's tremendous to se how people are reaching out," he said.

The Pereras have set up an account at US Bank for donations and are collecting funds from residents in Eagan and surrounding communities.  The funds will be sent directly to relief workers in Sri Lanka who are setting up shelters for displaced residents.

"The internati0onal assistance is not getting there in time for those who live in remote parts of the island." Prabath said.  "Our hope is to assist those who are in need in these area as soon as possible."

This is more than a short-time effort, he said.

"While other people are focusing on the short term, we are getting ready for the long haul," he said.

Donations can be made payable to Direct Tsunami Relief Fund and sent to the Pereras at 1520 Wellington Way, Eagan, 55122.

FOOD
Feed My Starving Children (FMSC), a non-profit, non-denominational Christian organization with a facility in Eagan, will send 600,000 meals to the southeast Asia to help disaster victims.

The food is a balanced blend of essential nutrients that simply has to be boiled.  More than 175,000 of the packaged meals will be sent to Thailand, while Sri Lanka will get about 281,000.  Planning for distribution of the remaining 143,115 meals is currently underway.

"This is the first part of a relief effort that we anticipate will continue for years to come," said Mark Crea, executive director of FMSC.  "Our response will focus on the children who have nothing as a result of this tragedy.

FMSC hopes to increase its commitment to one million meals, he said, "but to accomplish this we must first raise $68,000."

To donate to this effort, visit www.fmsc.org.  According to FMSC, 92 percent of every dollar goes directly to the food program.

TECHNOLOGY
Anderson Cargo Services of Eagan is also getting involved, as is Northwest Airlines.

Anderson is packing and shipping 1,000 laptops with special software, donated by IBM and Laser Data, to Thailand.

Steven Hass, marketing director for Anderson Cargo, said the special software will help expedite the gathering of photos and fingerprints of the dead, allowing the bodies to be buried within 24 hours.

Without the victim's data, he said, burial would have to wait for identification by a family member.

"Closure is just really important to the grieving process," said Anderson Cargo owner Brian Anderson.

About 150 volunteers spent hours Monday unpacking laptops, installing the special software, testing it, and repackaging the laptops.

The completed all 1,000 laptops in one night, and the computers were flown to Thailand the next day, courtesy of Northwest Airlines.

"It seems like we might have done something that's going to benefit a lot of people," Anderson said.

 

*** To learn more about Anderson Cargo and/or how they might help your own company, you may reach them at: 1-800-423-5488 or contact them online at: marketing@andersoncargo.com