N.J. Hospital Association Establishes Fund To Aid Tsunami Victims

PRINCETON -- The 109-member New Jersey Hospital Association has established a special fund to aid victims of the Dec. 26 tsunami in Southeast Asia.

The New Jersey Hospital Association Tsunami Victim Relief Fund will be used to provide financial support to the victims of this tragedy. Contributions are 100 percent tax deductible and will be periodically distributed to the American Red Cross and Save the Children. These two organizations are recognized internationally for the direct relief they are providing to the affected countries.

The fund is not limited to hospitals and their employees, but was created to offer a centralized collection point for the outpouring of support from New Jersey’s hospital community.

“If every hospital employee contributes just $10 on a quarterly basis we would raise nearly $6 million,” said NJHA President and CEO Gary Carter. “This fund will be used to help our neighbors and contribute to their healing.”

According to the American Hospital Association and the Red Cross, financial support is the greatest need for assisting victims now. The hospital community stands ready to contribute to the region’s public health needs in additional ways – including the donation of medication and equipment and supplies, if needed – as transportation and logistical challenges are met.

Contributions may be mailed to the NJHA Tsunami Victim Relief Fund, c/o Health Research and Educational Trust of New Jersey, P.O. Box 828691, Philadelphia, PA 19182-8691. Checks should be made payable to the Health Research and Educational Trust of New Jersey, with “Tsunami Victim Relief” noted in the “memo” line.

For more information, contact the NJHA at 609 275-4000.