India Earthquake Relief Fund Drive
By Elnora M. Mercado
March 12, 2001

Governor’s Asian Pacific American Advisory Council in partnership with the Asian/Pacific American Association for Advancement at AT&T, Inc. Mountain States Chapter and the India Association of Colorado held a dinner to raise funds for the earthquake victims in India. The successful event, held at the Gandhi Restaurant at the Denver DTC, was attended mostly by Asian Community leaders.

Spearheaded by Purnima Voria, the Asian community wholeheartedly rallied to the humanitarian cause while enjoying delicious Indian Buffet Dinner and winning some door prizes. John Chin (Organization of Chinese Americans, Denver Chapter) read a letter from Governor Owens congratulating the community for initiating the fund drive. Daniel Oh, representing the Council, thanked everyone for coming and Sudhir Verma, President of the India Association of Colorado, asked for a moment of silence in memory of those who died. He also announced another fund raising event which will be held at the George Washington High School on April 7 from 4:00 - 6:30 p.m.

Giselle Rushford, President of both the Filipino American Community of Colorado and of the AT&T 4A Mountain States Chapter, proudly announced the role and efforts of both organizations to help with the fund raising activity. Also present was Bob Willis, ATT Broadband Vice President of Constituent Relations. He read a letter from Dan Somers, AT&T President and CEO, congratulating the organizers for their outstanding efforts to raise funds for the India earthquake victims. A total of $110,000 from the national AT&T was donated towards this drive. The local chapter raised $6500, including $2500 from Broadband. Manu Raval, who just arrived from India, described the devastation and tragedy which befell his home country. He thanked the attendees for all their help and was moved by this show of support from the Asian community.

Elnora M. Mercado is Managing Editor of Philippine/Asian American Times. For information about this newspaper, call: 303-427-8109.