Earthquake/Tsunami Relief Fund

General Discussion
21

Tsunamis are not waves like we as surfers know them. The tragic picture below was in the L.A. Times yesterday but not quite the detail.

This picture below shows hundreds of people that died where and they came to rest after the tidal waves killed them tragically in just a very small portion of Banda Ache in northwest Sumatra.

http://weldion.org/~beeplus/temp/ruumiita4ft.jpg

Banda Ache before and after sattellite photos:

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/indonesia/aceh-andaman-tsunami-imagery.htm

I’m Sorry if these pictures offend anyone. It is just that you have to see it (These picture being just one little speck of the disaster) to understand the degree of tragedy, and how much of a natural disaster this is.

22

We have recently come back from Easy beach in Sri Lanka. We had a great trip, good surf, brillant food and friendly staff (even got a Christmas card from them).We where devastated as everyone else when the wave hit Sri Lanka (as we still have friends out there)as do many.Here is a message from Easy Beach for anyone who has stayed with Oystein and his family.Their is also a way to directly help the locals if you wish. Happy NewYear Cheers Joe Since Easy Beach no longer have a computer or the connection Im sending this on the behalf of Oystein and Ninni, and Easy Beach. Their daughter silja thise Thank you for your consern and warmly thougts. Everybody at Easy Beach made it. All the staff and their families. Also all the guest. We made it! At the guesthouse the buliding itself is standing. But everything on the groundfloor is trashed. Also much of the sidewall of the property is gone. BUT EVERYONE MADE IT!!! We are in a situation that we cant afford to keep the staff,something that is really terrible. So if you are prepared to give som aid to the tsunami victims, here is your chanse to give a direct help that helps. The staff is 13 people, that means 13 families. Aproxametly 65 family members. And in Sri Lanka with exstended family system,we are here talking about 250 people that needs food and help. So if you want to give aid, and help people that made your stay in Easy Beach a good one. Please send some money to the staff. It can be one time, or a small ammount automaticlly ones a month to: Mr. Oystein Aasen Account number: 640-9 Koggala Branch Bank of Ceylon Sri Lanka Thank you Oystein and Ninni And the whole staff at Easy Beach

23

Here is another group of surfers trying to help out.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20050102-9999-2m2dontate.html

JohnF

24

Below is some information that was in my mail. Perhaps it may be of use. Patrick

"There are two emails below, which explain the work of SurfAid International and why they’re the place to send your money. Thanks! – Drew

Date: Thu, 30 Dec 2004 11:51:53 -0800 From: “Gary Sirota” GSirota@CoastLawGroup.com

Hi,

As you may know, I have been the Director of Legal Affairs for SurfAid International since it was established in the US. For those of you who don’t know about SurfAid, it is an International nonprofit that conducts malaria control health delivery programs in the Mentawai Islands, West Sumatra, Indonesia. (See SurfAidInternational.org for more information).

Many of you have been asking me how you can help with disaster relief in Sumatra. There are many reputable international organizations that are undertaking disaster relief efforts, and you can find good information in you local news paper, or on the internet about who and how to give.

However, we at SurfAid have been approached by several of these large international aid organizations because of SurfAid’s expertise in the region. SurfAid has been operating its programs in villages in West Sumatra for years. Our Doctors speak the language(s), and many of the staff are indigenous. They are culturally sensitive and aware, which is a huge issue with both shamanistic and Muslim cultures. Most importantly, SurfAid, which grew out of the surfing community (W. Sumatra has great surf), has access to the many boats utilized in the surf charter industry in Sumatra. In many of the places hardest hit, overland access is difficult during ordinary times. Now that essentially all infrastructure has been destroyed, access by boat is essential. It is SurfAid’s intent in cooperation with the international relief effort to get to some of the remote islands like Nias, Bawa, Asu, Hinako, and the Telos. These islands support significant populations, they are relatively small, largely 3rd world, and because of the overwhelming scope of the disaster, as of yet are beyond the immediate efforts of the large aid organizations.

Moreover, we are in the final phase of obtaining a New Zealand Government disaster relief grant that will match every dollar we raise; so your one dollar will become two. We should know if we have been accepted for this program on Monday the 3rd. Since SurfAid has been the recipient of NZ Govt. Grants in the past, and that we were sought out by the NZ Govt. for this one, we anticipate that it will come together.

Lastly, SurfAid has been contacted by the leaders in the surf industry who want to help in this effort. Later today Quiksilver will announce its six figure contribution to this effort to be directed through SurfAid. We are confident that others will quickly come forward, and may already have. The situation is very dynamic.

So, if you are inclined to give to the disaster relief effort, please do not hesitate. The funds are needed now. Also, if you cut the check by end of the year, you can take a deduction in 04 (the lawyer in me has to point that out). If you want to give through SurfAid, please make your check out to “SurfAid International, disaster relief.” Mail your check to SurfAid at 555 Second Street, Suite 5, Encinitas, CA 92024. If you have any questions, please contact me here.

Thank you, sincerely,

Gary

P.S. SurfAid International’s EIN is 14-1850033. Your accountant will want to know this.

Gary L. Sirota, Esq. Coast Law Group, LLP 169 Saxony Road, Suite 201 Encinitas, CA 92024 Ph. 760 942-8505, Ext. 101 Fax 760 942-8515 gsirota@coastlawgroup.com

Subject: RE: surfaid int’l Date: Mon, 3 Jan 2005 15:05:28 -0800

From: “Gary Sirota” GSirota@CoastLawGroup.com

To: “Drew Kampion” dkampion@whidbey.net

Yes, SurfAid has matching for some of the funds. We anticipate that all

funds will be matched, but there are some, as is always with government,

issues relating to US funds directed through the US entity. As soon as

NZ has clarification on the affiliation between SAI NZ and SAI USA all

funds should be matched.

SAI has assembled a formidable response team of Doctors, Surgeons, Nurses, Translators, and 4 boats including the Indies Trader II. The

flotilla will travel north from Padang where they are being provisioned

as we speak. Griff leaves tonight from LA with about $150K in medical

supplies. We will be posting a Daily status report on the web site as

well. Let your friends know that they can read about what we are doing

with their money on the web site.

The main issue for SAI now is the budget, and not the matching. We have

put together a very lean budget for 30 days of immediate emergency

health care. We are not the org that will be directing the rebuilding

of the country. But our Doctors and Nurses will be well equipped, and

the nets will help prevent what is sure to be an outbreak in Malaria and

Dengue. It is a natural human instinct after a catastrophe to

congregate. There is little or no shelter. There is a lot of standing

water, and it is the rainy season. All it will take is one outbreak of

mosquitoes and the rest of the generation not killed last week, will be

suffering for the rest of their lives. SAI has 5000 nets on hand, and

7000 ordered. Check out the maps on the NOAA web site Re the wave

heights and direction. Nias, our first destination is 250 Kms away from

the epicenter.

Donation can be made via the web site SurfAidInternational.org for less

than $1000, or by check in any amount to SurfAid Disaster Relief, 555

Second Street, Suite 5, Encinitas, CA 92024.

Thank you for your effort Drew. Really.

Gary L. Sirota, Esq.

Coast Law Group, LLP

169 Saxony Road, Suite 201

Encinitas, CA 92024

Ph. 760 942-8505, Ext. 101

Fax 760 942-8515

-----Original Message-----

From: Drew Kampion [mailto:dkampion@whidbey.net]

Sent: Monday, January 03, 2005 1:18 PM

To: Gary Sirota

Subject: surfaid int’l

Gary, did the matching NZ donation thing work out? Folks are asking.

Drew"

25

Here’s another option re: tsunami disaster relief:

Perhaps many of you have donated already, but if not:

I’m setting-up a raffle-based fund (custom surfboard by Inland Design [that’s me :slight_smile: ] - $25.00/ticket) for the tsunami disaster. At this point, I expect the money to got to Oxfam, UNICEF, UNHCR, or SURFAID.

If interested in participating, please contact me for details and spread the word - I formatted my system recently and have lost most of my e-mail contacts.

As you well-know, many of the places hardest-hit (Sumatra, Sri Lanka, Andamans, Nicobar, Sri Lanka) are hosts to a number of premier, world-class surf destinations. It seemed appropriate to raffle a surfboard for this cause.

Thank you,

Maxwell

416 1/2 North Wallace

Bozeman, MT 59715

406-580-6892
26

Nice idea;

You make surfboards in Montana??

How often do you get back to the surf?

27

Tried to send this as a PM, but it was returned. Has your e-mail address changed?

Hey Hal,

Yes, I make surfboards in Bozeman, Montana. I build/sell one or two a month for the landlocked, but very active, cabin-fevered crowd every spring for the annual Baja excursion. Most often I build big-guy thrusters and 7’6"-8’0" fun shapes in addition to a few mini-guns for Hawai’i.

I grew up surfing all along the right coast in the 70s (at which time I made a few twin-fins), went to grad school at UH-Manoa in the 90s (at which time I made a few friends whom I still visit once or twice a year - I was there this year during the Sunset part of the Triple Crown), and recently caught that post-xmas swell at La Jolla and Tamarack while visiting in Vista.

I’m not dbl-overhead fit (probably never was) and my shoulders are shredded from years of rock climbing - but I still have fun. Speaking of fun, a pod of porpoises joined us for the Tamarack session a few days after xmas - perhaps you were out there?

I met a man whose name is Ed from Vista who is a knee/prone-paddler. Do you happen know him? Crazy, I know, but as popular as surfing has become, I’m still amazed how small the universe is sometimes, particularly with Swaylocks as a resource.

~Maxwell
28

Hey Maxwell,

my listed email address is : bgates@microsoft.com

look closely and apologies.

No that wasnt me at Tamarack,

I surf Huntington ,Blacks and venture to Ventura when it seems right

and yes I am a kneeboarder with a 3year sojourn to Hawaii in my earlier years.

In addition I have one of Dales S.'s Mats which gets used when things are right.

Knew you would be an veteran surfer,-- who else would be making

boards in Montana.
29

Any takers?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7126204543

30

nice going, John. I know someone here in SDiego who might be interested in your board (he was bugging me to make him a balsa but I haven’t had the time). I’ll try to call him.

I have a Brewer gun and was planning on doing something similar with it, but have yet to take digital photos of it.

31

John -

You set the bar high. I just emptied my mailbox w/ an e-mail and ebay link of your board. Hopefully we can help sell your baby.

another selfless act of kindness and generosity in difficult times.

32

I donated a decent chunk to SurfAid in the name “Swaylocks.com” - it really doesnt matter who donates where you donate to, as long as these people get some help. I mean - not with standing that its a great vacation spot with great waves - there are HUMAN beings in the area who could use your extra cash. I mean, even a little from everyone turns into a HUGE sizable chunk. So yeah…

Aloha

Bryan

33

In spite of my best efforts, E-Bay cancelled my listing because I didn’t list through Missionfish which takes a cut on top of E-Bay’s cut. They required me to choose a charity - a decision which I felt was best left to buyer. Missionfish also holds the funds for 45 days while they collect interest on it.

In any case, the link provided to my auction on E-Bay is now defunct.

For more on E-Bay’s policies re: Missionfish, fees, etc and what people are saying about those issues, check here…

http://forums.ebay.com/db1/thread.jspforum=4028&thread=410414092&start=0&msRange=40

34

John - this seems really bureaucratic and screwed up to me… but until they get their act together (if that happens) maybe you can use E-Bay’s “list one for free” promotion (ends today, though), simply sell the board, and donate the money directly to your charity of choice.

Or list it for sale on craigslist. ??

35

I’ve relisted my 10 balsa board. I took care to leave out the key words “charity”, “Red Cross”, “UNICEF”, etc as that seems to be what triggered my removal last time. Thanks to any who checked it out before. I had a lot of hits in just two days and 9 people were watching when it was yanked.

Thanks to Keith and Skip Saenger for helping spread the word!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7126968328

36

My kids, with a bit of adult help, raised an unbelieveable $780 for the tsunami relief from a bake sale. This is in a little beach community with 45 year round residents - a bit more this time of year. Quite a jump from the $35 they made last year and used to go to the movies. Living in an island nation on the ring of fire I think we realize that it could have been us.

37

relief…I just organised all the surf clubs on the gold coast to donate clothes by 2 pm yesterday…we networked out through everyone with the drop off points being the surf clubs…4 tons of clothes…every 2 days we ship them out…a friend told me of this guy with the collection and i networked the surfers…I know we arent supposed to talk about anything but surfing or what surfers think outside of surfing on swaylocks but its good to sea they allow this …Surfers can move mountains when united…I know we have the power…put all the music, the sports,the surfers ,ocean peopppppple…going the same way at the same time…we can stop the war and feed and house the whole planet…so…im bak doin my bit helping …if Solar energy cells apear…and nations fed by computerised growing…powered by the sun…and shelters are built to house EVERYONE…my work will be done…aloha…off to work

next we are working on the orphan-iges…building the new world with world peace…bak atcha

38

Right On Cheyne! (or should we say, Good on ya, mate!)

There was a story on the news here last night about a 14 year old boy who has raised $80,000 for the tsunami victims, using email and phone calls…

39

the Middle school i attend in Newport,Oregon is raiseing money for the Tsunami Relief Fund too, we’ve raised over one thousand dollars and the money will be doubled too. I know that is not that much money but as long as your caring comes from your heart,it doesn’t matter.

Show compassion toward others,stick up for wrongly treated souls.

-sarah

40

So here’s a little bit different way of helping. The Freeplay Foundation has been distributing wind-up radios (no batteries to wear out) to the world’s impoverished for some time now. The radios are often the single source of information to entire villages. Weather, political changes, war, health and disease information that we take for granted. So you can send clothes, money, volunteer but $55 for a radio will help an entire village for a long time.

[=1][ 2][ 2][ 2][ 2][ 2][ 2][ 2][ 2][ 3]

[ 2]The tsunami in Southeast Asia has left more than five million people homeless. The outpouring of generosity from countries around the world has meant that they are receiving desperately needed help but are now facing the huge challenge of piecing back together their shattered lives and communities. Among the most vulnerable of those left devastated by the waves which engulfed their towns and villages, are many thousands of young children. [/]

Save the Children estimates that 100,000 children were separated from their parents in the disaster and fears that tens of thousands of these were orphaned in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the worst affected areas of India.

In many of these areas there is no longer an electricity supply, making communication difficult or in some areas impossible. Valuable information about emergency supplies and other much-needed help is being broadcast but not reaching communities. Radios and batteries are scarce.

The Freeplay Foundation is eager to provide Lifeline radios to the devastated communities so those displaced can receive immediate, vital information broadcast daily. Rumours are rife and radio can reassure the traumatised, help dispel misinformation or advise of impending storms. Radio is essential to providing health and hygiene information; advising where and when food, water and other supplies will be distributed; informing about the activities of the aid workers assisting them; replacing lost ID and other documents; announcing about missing persons and also helping to ease isolation and can be particularly valuable in reuniting separated children and families or helping the orphaned link up with relatives. Radio helps make people feel connected.

The World Bank (WB) has determined that the lack of reliable communication networks is creating serious problems for relief and reconstruction efforts in some areas most affected by the tsunami. Currently, the WB is working to create a radio network that will enable mass communication of vital information to the communities in need. Simultaneously, the Freeplay Foundation is in the process of establishing an efficient network by which to distribute radios.

Radios are urgently needed. Your contribution will protect vulnerable orphans, help reunite families and support them in beginning the work of putting back together their shattered lives and communities.

Your donation of $55 or £35 will deliver a Lifeline radio to survivors of the catastrophic tsunami.[/][/][/][/][/][/][/][/][/][/] [indent]

[=1][ 2][ 2][ 2][ 2][ 2][ 2][ 2][ 2][ 2]Please join us in helping the survivors begin again.[/][/][/][/][/][/][/][/][/][/]

[=1][ 2][ 2][ 2][ 2][ 2][ 2][ 2][ 2][ 2]To make a donation, please click here[/] [/][/][/][/][/][/][/][/][/][/indent]

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