It's a world away. There's nothing I can do. It doesn't mean anything to anyone I know. It couldn't happen here.
If you're talking about the tsunami that hit southeast Asia late last month, you're wrong on all four counts.
If you've ever grabbed a coffee at Sherry's Cappuccino in Britannia Beach, you know someone who was nearly swept away by the catastrophe in Southeast Asia. Sherry Lundholm was one of the lucky ones - she lived. She could just as easily be one of the more than 120,000 that didn't.
If you think there's nothing you can do, just look at the people of Britannia Beach. A tiny community has already raised $3,000 to help people around the world.
Here in Squamish, we've got a host of people who have sprung to action to help relief efforts, from kids selling hot chocolate to the massive generous donation by the Squamish Sikh Society to the upcoming benefit concert next Saturday (Jan. 15).
Of particular note is Coun. Jeff Dawson's excellent idea for Squamish to adopt its own village in Southeast Asia to help out - an idea that is now being widely copied by communities across Canada, including Whistler.
That's not a problem: there will always be more people that need help than people able to provide it. Imitation being the best form of flattery, it's clear Coun. Dawson has hit on a winner of an idea. When the disaster is so widespread and the need for help apparently overwhelming, breaking the problem down into a manageable size - one community helping another - is an excellent way to proceed. It helps us see exactly who we're helping, and how.
As to it not happening here, the fact is that natural disaster has hit here, very recently, with last October's floods. And the Red Cross, one of the organizations that is spearheading relief efforts in the tsunami-stricken areas now, was helping out your friends and neighbours with emergency food, clothing and shelter.
We don't like to think about it, but we live in an earthquake zone as well. One day that could be us trying to dig out from the catastrophic effects of a tsunami.
If and when natural disaster touches close to home again, wouldn't it be nice to know that there are people around the world that care enough about their fellow human beings to help us?
However you want to help, there's an opportunity and a need. Please think about how you can make a difference.
