VANCOUVER – Multicultural radio station CHMB AM 1320 has raised closed to $1 million dollars for the Chinese Sichuan earthquake victims.
As most will recall, the massive earthquake hit Sichuan Province on May 12th, causing widespread damage and loss of life. The death toll is still rising while a further hundreds of thousands of people are homeless or otherwise affected by this natural disaster. Thousands of homes were destroyed and people are now living in temporary shelters, such as tents.
CHMB AM1320 was the first media outlet to take immediate action and kick-start a fundraising campaign in Vancouver for the relief of the earthquake victims, says a station press release.
A two-day-radiothon was launched on May 13th and tens of thousands of calls were received. A charity concert was also held on May 25th at the River Rock Show Theatre in Richmond, to further raise donations for the campaign. Hong Kong celebrity singer Sandra Lang, well-known Cantonese opera singers Pui Sang Lee and Monica Bai, and CHMB AM1320 talents such as Elly Leung, all volunteered to perform at the concert.
In less than three weeks, AM1320 China Earthquake Relief Fund (also known as “AM1320 CERF”), a trust fund set up at HSBC Canada by CHMB AM1320, has collected close to a million dollars to help the earthquake victims. The donations were collected just from the general public, and not from big corporations or organizations.
“This is all about raising money for the people in the devastated areas of China,” said James Ho, president of CHMB AM1320. “The outpouring of response from our AM1320 fundraising efforts has been overwhelming… and we have no doubt this response will continue.”
Donations can be deposited at any HSBC bank branches or made at the radio station. Cheques should be made payable to “AM1320 China Earthquake Relief Fund” or “AM1320 CERF”. All the money raised will be given to the charitable organization, Tzu Chi Foundation, which is involved in the rescue efforts in Sichuan. Tax receipts will be given to any donations over $10.
