Yorkregion.com - Markham - Town sends money for relief effort
Town sends money for relief effort
Markham
May 15, 2008 08:40 PM
$7,500 to help area of China hit by quake
By: Frank King
China is getting earthquake relief cash from Markham.
At their council meeting Tuesday night, politicians voted to give $7,500 to help victims of Monday’s quake, the worst to hit China since 1976.
“Markham offers its deepest condolences to the citizens of China, who have been affected by this tragedy,” Mayor Frank Scarpitti said. “A large number of residents have friends, relatives or colleagues in China and we will do our utmost to help where possible.”
Mr. Scarpitti and Regional Councillor Tony Wong were part of a town business delegation visiting China last month. That trip included some of the affected areas.
“We will contact some of our new friends there and officials from our sister city, Wuhan, to see if there is specific support we can offer.”
Town employees are also encouraged to make donations. Staff are exploring an appropriate agency to receive Markham funds for use in China.
More than 13,000 have died so far and more than 100,000 are unaccounted for at the epicentre in Suchuan province.
This isn’t the first time the town has made donations to disaster stricken areas. It contributed to relief efforts in Iran in 2004, Pakistan in 2005 and flood relief in Peterborough in 2002.