With more than 80,000 people dead and 25,000 missing, Chinese citizens in Wenchuan County face the aftermath of the country's deadliest earthquake since 1976. About 7,600 miles away, Ohio University students are joining the relief effort.
The Chinese Student and Scholar Association raised almost $6,000 selling traditional Chinese food, such as chow mein, twisted cruller and soybean milk, at the International Street Fair and collecting donations.
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said doctorate student Zeng Wei, fundraising organizer for the event.
The Chinese Student and Scholar Association plans to send the money to China through the non-profit organizations Soar Online and Zigen, said Wen-Jia Chen, associate professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering.
Chen and his wife, who were born in China, helped fundraise for the event and donated money themselves.- but we can help more people obtain happiness Chen said.
OU Chinese Business International raised $531 selling t-shirts at the International Street Fair. The group played host to a series of memorial prayer events for the people who died and encouraged attendees to make paper cranes to express their mourning.
We just want to help people who are suffering from this disaster
said Ming Xin, president of Chinese Business International.
The Vietnamese Student Association also donated $500, Zeng said. I am very moved by their fervor.
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I cannot image that
said journalism professor Hugh Culbertson, who donated money for the earthquake relief.
I have been to many cities in China before
and I had worked there for a long time
so there is a deep relationship between China and I
said Culbertson, who teaches several Chinese graduate students.
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especially as manifested through philanthropy
Chen said.
