May 14, 2008 10:16 pm US/Central
Local Fundraiser Held For Victims Of China Quake
Chinese-American Community Rallies To Aid Thousands Impacted By Disaster
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Allyson Chen was one of many Asian Americans working to send aid to the victims of a devastating earthquake in central China.
CBS
The Association of Asian-American Professionals held a local fundraiser Wednesday night for victims of the massive earthquake in China. The death toll of 15,000 is expected to soar as soldiers just begin to reach the outskirts of villages buried under tons of rubble.
CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine reports the fundraiser took on special significance, with proceeds earmarked for the Red Cross now going directly to Chinese earthquake relief. They are hoping to get emergency food, supplies and medical assistance to those who need it most.
Forty-eight hours after the powerful quake literally shook structures off their foundations, people are still being pulled from the wreckage. They include children, still stunned, eyes blackened, when their school house collapsed; and a pregnant woman squeezed out of a crushed apartment building and rushed to a waiting ambulance.
Many others have been trapped for more than two days now.
In addition to the 15,000 reported dead, Chinese authorities say nearly twice that number remains trapped in the rubble, some with friends and family members in Chicago still franticly trying to make contact.
"Some of my friends have been trying to contact friends and loved ones in the area and haven't been able to get through and that's devastating to the Chinese-American community in Chicago," said Allyson Chen of the Association of Asian-American Professionals.
While individual communication may be difficult, news of the extent of the disaster has spread quickly, unlike in the past, when disasters were covered up.
This one is being covered live day and night on Chinese television, with video of China's president crawling through the wreckage, encouraging those trapped to hang on. China, preparing for this summer's Olympics, is opening up to show its triumphs as well as its tragedies.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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