Help For Tsunami Victims Coming From Unlikely Places

SEATTLE - Many humanitarian agencies say to help tsunami victims, they need to raise more money than they ever have before.

And help is coming from unlikely places.

From pizza to chocolate to hot water heaters, there are unique ways local people are reaching out.

What started as a simple idea at Soprano's Pizza and Pasta in Ballard, grew into something no one expected. Soprano's said it would donate - not just the profits - but every penny of Sunday's sales to World Vision.

People drove for miles to eat there.

"This is amazing. This is absolutely amazing," said a customer.

If a piece of pizza can help tsunami victims, why not a hot water heater?

For every hot water heater plumbers at Bellevue-based Home Smart Services install in the next three months, "We'll donate $100 to a relief fund of their choice," says Mike Calabrese. "World Vision, Mercy Corps, Red Cross."

The company's never made a donation like this before.

But few of us have ever seen devastation like this before.

The sorrow, the desperation, the need, inspire people to give.

And they are eager to find a way.

Northwest Medical Teams asked for donations outside Sunday's Seahawks game. And people threw in more than spare change.

"We've got 50's, we got 10's, we got 20's," said one of the volunteers collecting. "And there's a couple of checks in here for over a hundred dollars. One of 'em is for $300."

The simple fundraiser netted $65,000 from fans walking into the game and another $100,000 from players and coaches from both the Seahawks and the Falcons.

You can even indulge in chocolate.

Boehm's Chocolates in Issaquah will donate $2 to the Red Cross for every box of Encores they sell in the store, online or over the phone through Jan. 10. To sweeten the pot, they've marked the candy down.

They will take a loss to do some good.

"Always felt this is a good country and people always rise to this occasion," says Bernard Garbusjuk. "It's close to everybody."

Here are some other businesses generating money for Tsunami relief:

Crystal Mountain is donating $2 for every lift ticket sold Sunday. The effort raised more than $20,000 for Save The Children's Asia Earthquake/Tsunami Relief fund.

The Seattle nightclub Element will have a benefit on Wednesday, Jan. 5. The $5 cover plus a percentage of bar sales will go to UNICEF.

Ten Thousand Villages, a nonprofit fair trade retailer, will donate 15 percent of sales the week of January 9-15 to Mennonite Central Committee's Asia Earthquake Fund.

Ten Thousand Villages sells handcrafted furnishings, art and clothing from artisans around the world.

Starbucks will donate $2 to CARE for every pound of Sumatra whole bean coffee it sells this month.

Scotopia Pictures, a local independent film studio, is auctioning an autographed copy of their feature film "Inheritance" on eBay. The film was released nationwide on video last Tuesday.

The film, shot entirely in Seattle, stars all locals, including Jen Taylor (the voice of the videogame HALO's Cortana), and Marjorie Nelson.

All proceeds will go to the American Red Cross. Here is the item number where viewers can find it on eBay: 6356034656.

STAR 101.5 is holding a special STAR-Stage event featuring Geoff Byrd on Monday, Jan. 24 at noon at Fisher Plaza. Proceeds will go to Northwest Medical Teams, a non-profit organization, helping with the relief efforts.

STAR 101.5 is asking listeners to make a $50 minimum donation per ticket to attend the benefit concert. Listeners can sign up to purchase tickets at www.star1015.com

STAR 101.5 is also giving away tickets on the air, and making a $100 donation to Northwest Medical Teams in each winner’s name.

For More Information:

www.boehmscandies.com
www.homesmartservice.com
www.tenthousandvillages.com.