JCI Launches Operation Hope to Help Tsunami Victims

JCI Members from all over the world have expressed their desire to help tsunami victims in Asia. Several have also requested that JCI networks be used to effectively help communities that can be reached by local JCI Members.

Therefore, with the approval and backing of 2005 JCI President Kevin Cullinane, JCI Secretary General Edson A. Kodama is organizing a large-scale project, which will be launched January 1, 2005. The objective of this project, entitled "JCI Operation Hope," is to offer assistance, comfort and hope to the victims in the most direct and efficient way possible: through our JCI Members.

Secretary General Kodama has already contacted the National Presidents of Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, and asked them to find out what would be the best way to ensure the articles needed (medicines and other supplies) reach the victims of the disaster. This is how the project will be implemented:

In the Affected Area

National Presidents in that area will provide lists of articles needed. Additionally, each will send to the JCI Headquarters the name of a member appointed to receive and monitor those articles, as well as an address (preferably that of the National Secretariat) where they can be shipped. National Presidents will also organize assistance and distribution efforts through their Local Organizations.

In the Other Areas

In areas not directly affected, each National President will encourage Local Organizations and Members to ship articles needed directly to the designated persons and addresses. They will also encourage them to make donations to the JCI Operation Hope account that will be set up as soon as possible by the JCI Headquarters.

At the JCI Headquarters

The JCI Headquarters will encourage everyone to become involved and will open a JCI Operation Hope account where Active and Senior Members, as well as JCI Senators, from around the world, will be able make donations via Internet by credit card. All the funds deposited in this account will be used to buy and ship the articles needed to the affected countries. Detailed records will be kept so auditors can see how every penny is spent.

Additionally, the JCI Headquarters will contact U.S. companies to request supplies at special prices as well as donations.

Details regarding items needed as well as the addresses where they can be shipped will be broadcasted as soon as they are available.

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