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Los Angeles Contributes to Tsunami, Earthquake Victims

   Mike O'Sullivan | Los Angeles  March 21, 2011
   Red Cross donations table in downtown Los Angeles, California

   Red Cross donations table in downtown Los Angeles, California

   Los  Angeles,  like  other West Coast cities in the United States, has
   close  ties  to  Asia  and  is  home  to  many Asian immigrants.Ā  The
   earthquake  and  tsunami in Japan have moved many to contribute to the
   humanitarian relief efforts for the survivors.
   As  relief  workers  in  Japan  help  survivors  of  the  tsunami  and
   earthquake,  outside Los Angeles City Hall, the American Red Cross and
   local officials collect relief funds.
   Red Cross spokesman Charlie Sardou says donations were small at first,
   but not now. Ā
   āAs  people are beginning to see the images and understand the gravity
   of  the  situation  in  Japan,  weāre  seeing a significant up tick in
   donations,ā Sardou said.
   Bernard Parks is a city councilman.
   āHi  there.Ā   Can  you  help  us  out  on  the  earthquake?ā  he asks
   passersby.
   Parks says response is good.
   āPeople  just  think  itās  a great cause," he says.Ā  "A large number
   have  just  thanked  us  for being out here making this effort to help
   those who are in distress.ā
   City Council member Jan Perry says morning drivers have been generous.
   āPeople  have  been  throwing two dollars, five dollars, 10s and 20s.Ā
   Bernard  has  gotten  a  100  dollar  bill.Ā  Iāve gotten a 100 dollar
   bill.Ā  So itās starting to pick up,ā Perry says.
   Chinese  American  Catherine  Chan  says  the  Japanese  disaster is a
   reminder that people should be ready for anything.
   āTo  me, itās a wake-up call and people should be prepared for it, and
   even  though,  myself,Ā   Iām not prepared for it, " she admits. " Iām
   hoping and Iām praying that it will never happen again.ā
   Chan says for now, her hopes and prayers are with the people of Japan.

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