Mayor Phil Gordon and Vice Mayor Peggy Bilsten launched a unique program Jan. 7 to assist with the relief efforts after the devastating tsunami. Working with the Phoenix-based nonprofit organization Food for the Hungry, they urged Phoenicians to join them in "adopting" a small village called Meulaboh (pronounced May-oo-la-bow).
Meulaboh, located in Sumatra, is only 93 miles from the epicenter of the earthquake and was one of the areas hardest hit. About 40,000 of the 120,000 residents were killed, and reports are that buildings were completely destroyed and fishing boats were washed inland more than a mile.
Vice Mayor Bilsten and experts from Food for the Hungry traveled to Meulaboh Jan. 12 to get a first-hand look at the area.
If you would like to join the Mayor's and Vice Mayor's effort, you can visit
www.fh.org, mail a check to Food for the Hungry at 1224 E. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85034, or call 1-800-248-6437. The USA Freedom Corps is also very involved with the relief effort.
Also, Carl's Jr. is joining the effort and residents can make donations at any of the 41 Carl's Jr. restaurants throughout the state. And, half of the proceeds of every The Six Dollar Burger™ purchased at Carl's Jr. Arizona restaurants will go directly to Indonesia's rebuilding efforts.
