EDITORIAL
By Ruth Luse
The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake was an undersea earthquake that occurred on Dec. 26. "The earthquake generated a tsunami that was among the deadliest disasters in modern history. At a magnitude of 9.0, it was the largest earthquake since the 9.2 magnitude Good Friday Earthquake off Alaska in 1964, and tied for fourth largest since 1900."
This description of the disaster which has motivated many to come to the aid of the people of the affected region comes from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Just reading these words and the thought of what it must have been like to experience this catastrophe, to have lived through it and to face life in its aftermath sends chills down our spines.
The most positive way to respond to such a calamity is to do something to help. And people many of them children all over Hopewell Valley have done just that. We applaud them and urge Valley residents to get involved in current and future events aimed at helping the victims.
According to recent issues of the HVN, among the first to help were third-grade students at Toll Gate Grammar School. They held a bake sale Jan 7 and raised close to $650, which was donated to UNICEF.
During January, the Hopewell Elementary School community, which includes the children, staff and families, mobilized and through various activities such as collection of donations, a read-a-thon, "Skip-a-snack day" and others managed to raise, by month’s end, at least $6,000, which, according to fifth-grade teacher Bob Alexander, was forwarded to AmeriCares Foundation for tsunami relief.
Timberlane Middle School’s Leo Club recently began creating and selling remembrance pins through a campaign, known as "Lend A Hand." Sale locations can be found in this week’s HOVAL SCHOOL BRIEFS. Profits will go to UNICEF.
We already know of two events aimed specifically at helping tsunami survivors set for this weekend.
On Saturday, there will be a major tsunami relief fund-raiser at the Pennington-Ewing Athletic Club (PEAC) from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the facility at 1400 Lower Ferry Road (Reed Road in Hopewell Township) in Ewing Township. For the details, see account in this week’s edition.
On Sunday, Pennington School track and cross country coach Richard Ritter is organizing a fund-raising 5K Run-Walk. Registration is at 11:30 a.m. Runners will start at 1 p.m., and walkers at 1:15 p.m. Proceeds from a $20 registration fee, plus pledged donations participants are being asked to solicit ahead of time, will go to tsunami relief. If interested in this effort, call Mr. Ritter at 737-8069, ext. 339. More details can be found in this week’s SPORTS BRIEFS.
We urge those of you who have the time and energy to participate in either of these events to get out and do so. With the Super Bowl now part of history, there can’t be anything exciting enough to keep you glued to the TV screen. Shopping and movie-going can wait. Tsunami survivors can’t. They need our help now.

