Wave of Relief Campaign Concludes - Funds go to Five Tsunami-Relief Charities

Utah State University President Stan Albrecht, accompanied by Vice President for Student Services Juan Franco and Chris Fawson, vice provost for academics and international affairs, presented student Wave of Relief committee members Janitha Nandalochana, Syed Sayem and Prasad Gankanda, a check for $10,016.30 March 8 to aid communities devastated by the massive tsunami disaster.

 

“It’s really good and I wish to thank everyone,” said Sayed, cultural vice president for Utah State’s International Student Council and a native of Bangladesh. “I’m so impressed with the many who helped and am very appreciative of everyone working together.”

 

Funds were raised during the university-wide “Wave of Relief” campaign from individual contributions from students, faculty and staff, as well as a variety of student-initiated fundraisers during the past two months. The money will be divided among five charities selected by the Wave of Relief fundraising committee.

 

“The committee selected beneficiaries that help a broad range of constituents in all of the affected countries, as well as charities working to assist hometown communities of Utah State students,” said Gary Chambers, associate vice president for Students Services, who chaired the committee.

 

The selected charities are the International Red Cross, the International Mercy Corps, the Prime Minister’s Office of Sri Lanka, the Thai Tsunami Relief Fund and the South Indian Federation for Fishermen Society, a non-profit group helping fishermen in India to reestablish their livelihoods. Utah State’s contributions to these charities will touch lives in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

 

“I think the campaign came out really well. I didn’t expect so much support,” said Nandalochana, who is from Sri Lanka.

 

He added that he was very moved by the many friends who called him following the disaster to express concern and offer help.

 

Nandalochana and Gankanda, also from Sri Lanka, said they were enjoying the holiday break in Salt Lake City when the tsunami hit and spent an anxious 24 hours trying to reach their families. Thankfully, the news was good when they eventually made contact.

 

Nandalochana’s parents were vacationing on Sri Lanka’s eastern coast when a wave struck the building in which they were staying. They managed to reach the structure’s third floor, where they were later rescued.

 

"They were having breakfast and saw the wall of water break the windows," Nandalochana told a local reporter following the disaster. “They were so scared.”

 

“I really want to thank Utah State,” said Gankanda. “We are so appreciative of this community.”