The Assisi-Downs Earthquake Relief Fund

The Total Is $3,300 Even!

You people are amazing! When Allen and I set up this fund, we expected that we might raise maybe three or four hundred dollars, which would have represented very worthwhile support to the Indian earthquake relief effort. Instead, you contributed ten times our estimate! Allen is ecstatic (and NPR is probably green with envy)! Make sure to read his summary of the Fund's results, which is presented as Installment #26.

There are photos of Allen presenting our donation to the ashram and the final receipts we received at the bottom of this page.

Here's the original message from Allen:

The Shri Ramakrishna Ashram in Rajkot, Gujarat, India is asking for cash donations to support its earthquake relief efforts. This is a way in which everyone who is following the reports on this web site can help deliver aid to the victims of the earthquake. First, I need to say that I have no official connection with the Ashram and am making this suggestion on my own; the Ashram has not authorized me to solicit funds for them. I can assure you that, if you would like to help, every penny you donate will be delivered to the Ashram. I have seen it to be a very efficiently and intelligently run organization. India relies much more on private organizations for relief work, and much less on the government, than we do in the States. I believe that a donation to the Ashram to be about the best way to get aid to those who need it.

Here is the plan:  If you wish to donate to earthquake relief, send your donation to Dave Pratt before February 20th. Dave will list your name and amount donated below. (If you don’t want your name listed, tell Dave and he’ll list you as "Anonymous".) Dave and I will take care of the transfer to India. Just before I leave Rajkot to return home, I will deliver the total amount to the Ashram. They will give me a receipt that I will photograph and Dave will post here. I do not believe that a donation made in this manner will qualify for a US income tax deduction, but it will make you feel good, and will deliver appropriate and timely aid where it is needed.

Allen

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The Assisi-Downs Earthquake Relief Fund
Final Tally
(Listed in approximate order received, most recent first)

Evelyn Okert	$25
Cida and Cary Campbell	$100
Asha George	$50
Cinny Houston	$200
Bill Miner	$100
Lisa Clem	$200
The Chandler Family	$10
Will Pratt	$10
Roman, Staszek, and Edward	$100
Tim and Staples Kute	$50
Erica and David Lundmark	$50
Tomi and Daisy Fernandez	$100
Diane and Bill Nichols	$30
Harvey Glump	$15
Anonymous	$10
Anonymous	$100
Sheela and Shashi Assisi	$100
John Pratt	$60
Anonymous	$1,000
Paul and Deepa Fernandez	$100
Mike and Mary Counihan	$50
Richard and Barbara Neiss	$100
Sandra Martin	$20
Nina Galen	$50
Micky and Joe Pratt	$50
Julie Harvey	$20
Anonymous	$50
Norm and Sharon Smith	$50
Dave and Jane Downs	$50
Jan Looper and Dan Smith	$50
Robin Miller	$50
Harold J. Margolis	$50
Judy and Leon Miller	$100
Yvonne and James Stegman	$50
Baby Joseph and Dora Fernandez	$50
Vivian and Dave Pratt	$100
Total as of May 02, 2004:	$3,300

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Click on the thumbnails below for a larger view, then use your browser's Back button

	I hand over $2,600 of the $3,300 contributed to the Assisi-Downs Earthquake Relief Fund to Swami Ishamayananda, the Shri Ramakrishna Ashram’s financial officer. Jikaka and Brahmachari (Swami in training) Seshan Maharaj, the assistant financial officer, look on.
	Here is the receipt for today’s $2600 contribution ($2100 in travelers' checks and $500 in cash). The receipt for the balance of $700 will be posted as soon as it is available.
	Here is the final receipt for our $2600 contribution presented by Allen while still in India.
	Here is the final receipt for the additional $700 contribution that was made via a check airmailed by Dave

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