January 14, 2005

South Bay fund-raising efforts aid tsunami relief

Chamber raises $141,000 with telethon

By Kymberli W. Brady
Staff Writer

Much like the tsunamis that struck southern Asia coastlines on Dec. 26, a simple idea three days later quickly grew into a full-blown telethon that raised more than a quarter million dollars in emergency relief.

According to Ken Heiman, communications director for the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce, the idea to partner in a fund-raising effort with the Santa Clara County Chapter of the American Red Cross started bouncing around the office on Dec. 29.

By 5 p.m. the following day, the office was converted into a temporary phone bank—complete with 25 volunteers, 16 phone lines and the cooperation of local radio, television and print media.

“We saw an immediate need and thought through the use of television during the news hour, we could get a good response,” Heiman said. “It was a matter of striking while the iron was hot—while the need was so great. No one else in the community had taken a leadership role in doing this and things just kind of fell into place.”

Although the chamber set out to raise $20,000 during the scheduled two-hour effort, they decided to pull the plug after more than 500 calls pledging amounts from $10 to $5,000 raised $141,000 in cash contributions from local residents and businesses. Rob Lynch, Orchard Supply Hardware [OSH] president and San Jose resident, also committed to match the pledges with an in-kind donation of tools and equipment up to $100,000.

“He heard about this effort and wanted to do something,” explained Heiman. “It was a very generous contribution. But we finally had to cut the telethon off at 9 p.m., four hours later. People were trying to get through and kept calling back. Some tried for two or three hours and didn’t give up. We were amazed at the response.”

Still, e-mail continued to pour in throughout the night from those who couldn’t get through and the phones started ringing early the next morning, prompting Red Cross volunteers to return and field pledges from callers as far away as Kansas for several more hours.

Local charities still need help
Locally, Bay Area charitable organizations continue their struggle to stay afloat in the current economy, including the Boys and Girls Clubs. Executive Director Steve Tedesco. says he is encouraged by the global outpouring of support and hopes some of the generosity trickles down.

“I hope people realize the capacity they have to give is greater than they think it is,” said Tedesco. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime disaster, and it’s rewarding to see how we respond. The magnitude of the tragedy is one that we never want to have. But it gets people’s attention and shows the real capacity of how they can reach into their pockets.

“As nonprofits with ongoing issues,” he added, “we hope it translates into ongoing support of local issues that are worthwhile things too.”

Heiman chalked it up to human nature. People are more prone to open their wallets and their hearts following tragic events that take such an enormous toll, especially one that affects thousands of Indians and Sri Lankans who live in the Bay Area, many of whom are employed in the high-tech and software sectors.

“This disaster brings up a lot of points,” he admitted. “There are a lot of business, family and cultural ties to that region. I think they responded because the enormity of the tragedy was so immediate.”

“This required a global response, and I’m proud that the Silicon Valley is one of the most generous communities in the world,” added Cuneen. “We’re showing it right now.”

For more information on tsunami victims or to make donations, visit www.sjchamber.com where a scrolling link to the American Red Cross appears on their homepage. Donations may also be made through the American Red Cross by calling (408) 577-1000 or going to www.santaclaravalley.redcross.org.