Myanmar Association Hawaii: Forum Posts

Fund raising at Aloha Towers

it was off-the-chart bro. we'll fill you more in details about the number after our meeting next week.

Fund raising at Aloha Towers

Hey Oakkar, how was the fund-raising event at Aloha Towers? I hope it went well. I wonder how much money was raised through this event.

Thanks for doing this everyone!

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Likewise, Aunty! I miss Hawaii and everyone there.. I hope I can visit you all next Thingyan.

Fund raising at Aloha Towers

What an event yesterday. We had lots lof fun, and at the same time we'd be saving many lives.....

Fund raising at Aloha Towers

Hello... yeah.. We are going ahead with the fundraising at the Aloha Towers!!! We have big players helping us and they are so giving and so compassionate. Victor Lim is selling the tables which is very expensive. Hawaii Theater has stepped up to handle the entertainment and some of the expenses with that. One of the leading vocalist Cathy Foy will be singing. She is awesome. We have an international theme and so we will have various ethnic local groups performing including Taiko Drums probably by Kenny Endo and a fabulous Indian dancer, Thai dancers and of course our own beauties Hmone and Haemar( still waiting about Za Zar's participation. Depends on whether her foot has healed). For Food, we have the top chefs, Roy's, Chai's, Sam Choy's among those donating their talent and probably the food. We have out of this world auction items, like two jade necklaces, a ruby necklace and maybe earings as well as lacquerware. We have various group joining us such as the International Students from UH, Hawaii Theater, and The Nepalize Society. Yes, we are going to have this event! Please let people know and sell tickets!

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Thank you for all that you are doing, Jimmy. We sure miss you in Hawaii. Aloha, Aunty

My simple thinking of helping people of Myanmar

I agree that clothes is among the items needed. And many others are willing to accept that except the Sitagu Sayadaw. He doesn't want to give old clothes, so we can give through others. When we go back to visit, we should also leave all our clothes behind.

As for the microloan program, we already have one, It is one of the largest in the world. I started that program with PACT in the Dry Zone in 1995 and can send you their report which they were so proud of. All they need to do is to extend it into the Delta. The staff are already trained. Good idea, Harry.

My simple thinking of helping people of Myanmar

Ko Harry,
Thanks for the post. Old clothes sound great. I have a lot of those to donate. If we can get everyone to do the same, we'll get the clothes for a small village. Is there any way we can ship it in bulk directly from here without having someone to bring it?

Can you tell us what your plan for the micro loan a bit more in detail?

Oakkar

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Hi Friends,

I have attached the link to pdf file regarding how United Way plans to distribute funds to relief agencies.

Here is the URL.

http://jimmysaw.googlepages.com/burmacyclonerelief

Basically, United Way is planning to donate to HOPE Worldwide. Please find the website here:

http://www.hopeww.org/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?pid=191&srcid=-2

But please note that the added advantage of donating through me is that, for every dollar you donate, my employer will match the same amount. Please let me know if you are interested in donating. If I have a pledge of how much you want to donate, I will go ahead and send the check to United Way.

You can send me the check later. If the amount is too large then I will have to wait for your check.

Thanks and Sincerely,

Jimmy

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Wow.. you have a nice employer Ko Gote. And I didn't even know Google started that either. I'm glad the company like Google is helping. I couldn't ask for more.... Thanks for your postings man.

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Hi all,

I'm just letting all of you know about the donation opportunities for the cyclone victims of Burma.

One is Google:

Google is matching donations up to $1 million. Here is the website to donate:

http://www.google.com/myanmarcyclone/

Next is United Ways through my employer. I have attached the email I got through email within the lab I work at. They are also matching funds up to $1 million to help the victims of Burma cyclone or China earthquake. Please let me know if you're interested in donating through my employer. I have to collect the donations together and send them in one check since I'm the employee.

Please let me know. You can reach me through these email addresses:

jimmy@hawaii.edu, jimmysaw@gmail.com, jsaw@lanl.gov

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LANS employees can contribute to Asia disaster recovery fund
Los Alamos National Security employees can contribute to an Asia Disaster Recovery Fund through the Laboratory’s United Way campaign. By choosing this option, donations will be designated to the Asia Disaster Recovery Fund and handled through the United Way of Northern New Mexico (UWNNM).

United Way created the Asia Disaster Recovery Fund to support long-term recovery and construction efforts in China and Myanmar in response to the devastation caused by an earthquake in the Sichuan Province of China on May 12, and a cyclone in Myanmar on May 2.

Los Alamos National Security, LLC, will match employee donations made through the United Way, dollar for dollar, up to $1 million. During the recent UW campaign, LANS had committed up to $1 million in matching funds and the current 2008 UW campaign is at approximately $800,000. Any pledges made before June 10 will be matched to the $1 million limit.

Employees can donate in the following ways:

o Checks made out to the “United Way of Northern NM – Asia Disaster Recovery Fund. Checks can mailed to LANL CFO-TPT, Mail Stop P231; or

o One-time payroll deduction (which will appear in the June 19 paycheck). To make arrangements for the payroll deduction, contact Debbi Wersonick of the Community Programs Office (CPO) at sonic@lanl.gov by electronic mail.

The deadline to make a donation either by check or payroll deduction is June 10.

For more information, contact Wersonick at 5-4400 or sonic@lanl.gov.

Debra J. Wersonick
Community Programs Office
Los Alamos National Laboratory
PO Box 1663, MS A117
Los Alamos, NM 87545
w: (505) 667-7870 direct
(505) 699-7516 cell
w: (505) 665-4400 main
f: (505) 665-4411

“Supporting Economic Development, Education,
and Community Giving"

Remember to specify "China Earthquake" on the check memo or in the email if you want to donate to China, otherwise 'Cyclone in Myanmar' if you want to donate to Myanmar.

The United Way International will move 100% of the donated and matched money to your specified relief efforts.

My simple thinking of helping people of Myanmar

One item that I think of sending to Myanmar without possibly interference by Government is old clothes.

I knew for fact that a lot of people in small villages have only one piece of clothes even during normal time. If anyone going back to Myanmar carries 10 pieces of clothes every time then we can help 10 people. I am thinking best way to distribute is through Monasteries.

We may think it is not that much impact but if you put yourselves in their situations you may change your opinion..

Of course, they also need clean water, food shelter, medical care and money. We can set up a micro loan program also, as a long term strategy. Even in Africa and India the micro loan program helps so many people so we should develop similar thing in Myanmar in a small scale so not attracting unwanted attention.This way we can help them for long term.

Fund raising at Aloha Towers

Are we still doing the fund raising event at Aloha Towers????

Shipment

By far, we are unable. getting aids into the counrty wont be a problem, Yet, "into the region" could be problamatic due to Military check-points. However, i think, NGOs can perform quite well in YGN and vacinity, i.e, Hlaing Thar Yar, the other side of YGN. Govern't is placing de facto isolationism in Ayarwadee Delta due to media and, most importantly, military protocal. It wil be best, if some knows a high ranking commander in the region. The idea of co-op with Military commander is not in favor but i, for one, think that is the quickest way.

Shipment

What is the best possible way to send out the shipments to Myanmar?