Locals can help earthquake victims

The 9.0 magnitude earthquake that hit Dec. 26 off the coast of Indonesia, triggering 20-foot tsunami waves has left emergency workers scrambling to deal with the dead, find the missing, prevent disease, and provide shelter for those left homeless.
International Red Cross, American Red Cross, Indian Red Cross, and Red Crescent societies in south Asia have begun to mobilize teams to assist in the aftermath of the devastation, considered possibly the largest natural disaster ever recorded.
Local residents, moved by media coverage of the crisis, are looking for ways to help.
Although volunteers aren’t being recruited, financial gifts to the American Red Cross International Response Fund are the best way to help, says Susan Shreve, director of development and public relations for the American Red Cross Genesee-Lapeer chapter.
Send contributions, marked ‘International Response Fund? to American Red Cross, 1401 S. Grand Traverse, Flint, Mich., 48503.
Details: Go to http://www.redcross.org/donate/donate.html.