By:Chris Munzing
"There hasn't been a response like this since Sept. 11," said Geraldine Cotter, parish secretary at Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Point Lookout. "We all have our little problems here at home, but these people have been truly devastated."
This weekend, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal will participate in a collection for the tsunami victims as part of a Diocese of Rockville Centre-wide effort.
Shortly after the disaster, Bishop William Murphy issued a statement saying that each of the organization's 134 churches would organize collections. The diocese will work with the Holy See and entities such as Catholic Relief Services to ensure that the funds are directed to the areas that need them the most, the statement said.
"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. I also ask for their generosity."
The Rev. Tom Donohoe, of St. Mary of the Isle Roman Catholic Church in Long Beach, said that his church held its fund-raiser Jan. 1-2 and described it as a success. Donohoe encouraged others to donate through official organizations such as the diocese or the American Red Cross.
Temple Emanu-El in Long Beach is coordinating its efforts with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC). A volunteer at Temple Emanu-El said that it is currently collecting monetary donations from its congregants and anyone else interested in contributing.
The JDC was founded more than 90 years ago to serve the needs of Jews throughout the world. The organization has already raised more than $1 million for south Asia. "This is a disaster of historic proportions," said Steven Schwager, JDC's executive vice president. "We are heartened by the spirit people have shown us in their desire to help people on the other side of the world. JDC is going to make certain that the money we raise will have a true impact in easing the unimaginable suffering in south Asia."
The Barry and Florence Friedberg JCC's Long Beach Division said that it would be coordinating a benefit with other city groups in the next few weeks, with all the proceeds going to the JDC's efforts. JCC Director Roni Kleinman said details still needed to be worked out for the benefit, but that they would be made public by the end of this week.
The City of Long Beach is distributing fliers and putting up posters listing organizations to which people can donate money. "We've asked some of these organizations what we can do," City Council President Jim Hennessy said at Tuesday night's council meeting. "And they all said the same thing: We need money."
The fliers and posters can be found at City Hall or throughout the city.
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