September 9, 2005


Community fund-raiser lowers the bar
for Hurricane Katrina contributions

It all adds up

By Kymberli W. Brady
Staff Writer

Several community leaders and elected officials are trying to “lower the bar” in an effort to provide aide for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Evergreen resident and community activist Annie Dandavati stressed the importance of directing money to the affected victims while providing a forum to express feelings of shock, grief and trauma.

The announcement was made during a Tuesday morning press conference, hosted by Evergreen resident Rigo Chacon.

The impetus centered upon creating the opportunity for anyone, rich or poor to contribute what they can and heal as a nation by doing so—especially when good intentions can be overshadowed by multi-million dollar stipends offered by wealthy, high profile individuals and companies.

“We’re Americans helping Americans,” says community activist Mohinder Mann, who along with Evergreen resident Annie Dandavati is organizing a community fund-raiser, which will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11 at the Jacinto Tony Siquig Northside Community Center, located downtown at the corner of N. Sixth St. and Empire. Food and live entertainment will be provided.

Mann says the event is twofold—a way to collect funds, but more importantly, a way for the community to come together and share their thoughts and feelings—especially in light of the controversial handling of the worst natural tragedy in U.S. history.

The government’s slow response left many who survived Katrina dying from the heat or lack of basic survival supplies. What he says is needed now is a community event that crosses over ethnic and socioeconomic lines to encourage unity and overall healing.

“This is a rude awakening that we have to change our attitude towards how we treat our own citizens—poor or rich, whatever color or nationality,” says Ben Menor, who manages the North Side Community Center.

“We need to help them to make our society stronger, better,” he continues. “We need to check the system that is supposed to provide the support, advocacy and protection. When that doesn’t happen, we get together and see what we can do to resolve the situation or take immediate action.”

Nearly 100 individuals and organizations have joined the group called the Coalition for Katrina Disaster Relief, including representatives from the NAACP, 100 Black Men, the Asian Americans for Community Involvement, the Center for Training & Careers, Volunteer Center Silicon Valley, Indigenous People Council, Skih Gurduawar (Sant Hothi), Hindu Temple, and LaRaza Roundtable.

Elected officials include Congressman Mike Honda, Assemblywoman Sally Lieber, County Supervisor Jim Beall, Police Chief Rob Davis, County Assessor Larry Stone, Vice Mayor Cindy Chavez, and councilmembers Nora Campos, David Cortese, Ken Yeager, Forrest Williams and Linda LeZotte, to name a few.

Mann says the Salvation Army and the Silicon Valley Chapter of 100 Black Men were selected to receive the funds because of their heavy presence on the ground in areas where people are most affected.

“They are both working to feed people, clothe them, and take care of their immediate necessities, That’s where we want the money to go so they get 100 percent of it,” said Mann.

“This makes us see how powerless we are as human beings against the wrath of Mother Nature,” says co-organizer Annie Dandavati. “The stagnating water means that we are going to have a big outbreak of disease, and they’re already talking about cholera, dysentery and typhoid. That’s the reason why they are trying to evacuate every single person.”

Evergreen resident and retired ABC7 South Bay Bureau Chief Rigo Chacon organized a press conference to rally local groups, crossing all ethnic and socioeconomic lines, to assist the victims of Hurricane Katrina. His nonprofit organization Abrazos & Books has committed $10,000 to the effort.

A counselor by profession, she feels things will likely get worse before they get better, prompting her to look at the bigger picture.

“The bottom line is everybody wants to do everything they can to raise as much money as possible while providing a forum for people to come together, to express their feelings of shock, grief, trauma—whatever it might be. I don’t know a single person from that region, but in seeing the footage, I find tears rolling down my face. We’re all affected by this.”

Although a $50 donation is suggested to attend the event, Mann says people are welcome to come, even if they can’t make a donation, stressing the importance of community-building at the same time.

“We’re suggesting $50, but they can make any donation they like, however small or large,” he says. “We want to do our part to share and relieve the pain from this disaster because people feel the need to come together and share or find other ways to help people, rather than just sending in a check. Those who do want to contribute financially can make it out to any organization they like for as much as they like. We’ll make sure it gets there.”

For more information on Sunday’s event, call (408) 287-1600 or (408) 282-1447. Donations, payable to 100 Black Men of Silicon Valley or Salvation Army, can also be mailed to Mohinder S. Mann 1027 W. Taylor Street, San Jose, CA 95126, after Sept. 11.