Help ACHS Raise Donations for New Zealand Earthquake Relief Efforts

Reportedly the worst natural disaster in New Zealand in 80 years, the death toll from the Tuesday February 22 earthquake in Christchurch has risen to about 75 with an estimated 300 missing and hundreds more left without fresh water. New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has declared a national state of emergency.

American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS) has strong ties to the New Zealand community. A New Zealand native and ACHS President Dorene Petersen originally founded ACHS in 1976 as the extramural department of an on-campus naturopathic college in Auckland, New Zealand. Dorene opened our U.S. office in 1991 and was joined by daughters Erika Yigzaw, Chief Institutional Officer, and Kate Harmon, Director of Marketing. Though the college has proudly called the U.S. home for more than 20 years, our history is firmly rooted in New Zealand’s traditions and shared knowledge of natural medicine. As such, our U.S. family pledges continual support to the relief and well-being of our New Zealand family.

It is with deep sympathies for the victims, their friends and families, and those tirelessly working on the ground to re-establish safe and healthy conditions that we ask for your support. Current relief efforts are working to supply basic human needs, focused on search and rescue, emergency shelters, and securing safe drinking water. Help us provide some ease and comfort for those devastated by the earthquake.

We understand there are several organizations out there soliciting your funds and attention, and that not all are reputable. To ensure your donations make it directly into the hands of the people who need it most, we recommend the following organizations, which we have personally verified with contacts on the ground in New Zealand:

• Salvation Army Earthquake Disaster Fund
• New Zealand Red Cross

All donations help. On behalf of ACHS, our friends and family in New Zealand, we thank you for your contribution, care, and compassion. Note, donations made to countries outside of the U.S., including Canada, Mexico, and Israel, are generally not tax deductible. To make donations, KEA New Zealand suggests:

• For tax deductible donations in the U.S.: ANZA, Variety International-The Children's Charity, and Seattle Christchurch Sister City Association: Donate at any Wells Fargo Bank: Account is: Seattle Christchurch Earthquake Relief: Account number is: 7267350473 or alternatively mail your check to: Seattle Christchurch Sister City Association (SCSCA), PO Box 51059, Seattle WA 98115
• To make donations from within New Zealand: The Downunder Social Club of Calgary requests donation funds go through the New Zealand Red Cross
  
  

American College would like to personally thank the gracious help offered from militaryconnection.com, Seasons and Regions Restaurant, Jopa Restaurant, Beaverton Farmers Market, and Prolab Orthotics to help increase awareness and support for the victims of the New Zealand earthquake disaster relief effort.

For more information about disaster relief in New Zealand, visit:

• http://www.civildefence.govt.nz/
• http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/christchurch-earthquake/videos
• http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4688671/Christchurch-quake-latest-info