By: Nick Buglione
Triggered by a massive earthquake in the Indian Ocean, the tsunami hit 11 countries, claiming tens of thousands of lives and leaving millions of more people in desperate need of emergency supplies.
The relief effort is already being called one of the biggest humanitarian exercises in history, with 60 nations pledging $220 million in cash and hundreds of millions of dollars worth in supplies.
East Meadow is doing its small part, too, and residents are still urged to pitch in with money and clothing donations.
"This is a disaster of terrible proportions," said Rabbi Ronald Androphy, of the East Meadow Jewish Center.
In a sermon last Saturday, Androphy urged the congregation to donate money to two Jewish charitable organizations, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and the American Jewish World Service, which will funnel that money to relief efforts.
"These are Jewish organizations, but they help everyone in need," Androphy said.
Donations to the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee can be mailed to Box 321, 847A Second Ave., New York, NY 10017. Donations to the American Jewish World Service can be mailed to 45 West 36th St., tenth floor, New York, NY 10018.
Meanwhile, St. Raphael's Roman Catholic Church took up collections for the tsunami victims at all its services last weekend, in accordance with a diocesan-wide project initiated by Bishop William Murphy, head of the Diocese of Rockville Centre.
This crisis has affected such a large area with a great loss of life," Murphy said. "I ask the people of God on Long Island to pray for the victims."
The diocese is working with the Holy See and entities such as Catholic Relief Services to ensure the funds will be dispersed to the areas of greatest need. The Diocese of Rockville Centre comprises 134 parishes.
The Rev. Barry Switzer, pastor of the Long Island Bible Baptist Church in Salisbury, said his congregation is also collecting money for the tsunami victims and will continue to do so for the next few weeks.
"We're going to be collecting for three or four Sundays," Switzer said. "This [disaster] is so big, we're just going to push as best we can and see what happens."
Meanwhile, the East Meadow Kiwanis, a community service organization, is joining a division-wide effort to collect clothing. The East Meadow Kiwanis, which is the state's largest Kiwanis chapter, is part of the Long Island South Central Division, which includes 18 other organizations.
"We're trying to collect any type of clothing," said Jay Steinmetz, East Meadow Kiwanis president.
Clothes can be dropped off at Century 21 American Homes, 2694 Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown.
Residents interested in learning about any other relief efforts for the tsunami victims should contact their local houses of worship.
"That's the greatest thing about this community," said James Skinner, an East Meadow businessman and member of the local chamber of commerce and Kiwanis. "If something ever happens, someone's always there to help."
