PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 12, 2008
Contact: Ron Chow
University Place Sister Cities
R3kchow@comcast.net
City of University Place supports sister city Jiang You for relief in aftermath of China Earthquake
TACOMA, WA – May 12, 2008 – City of University Place is teaming up with the City of Lakewood, Town of Steilacoom and City of DuPont to assist its sister city, Jiang You, in the Sichuan Province of China to assist with disaster relief efforts in the aftermath of the
earthquake. The epicenter of the earthquake is less than 100 miles northeast from Jiang You.
City mayors Linda Bird, City of University Place, Doug Richardson, City of Lakewood, Ron Lucas, Town of Steilacoom, Penny Coffey, City of DuPont, have recently led delegation visits to Jiang You. Mayor Bird's delegation visit was in 2005; she also hosted students from Jiang You
high school. The City of University Place and its sister city Jiang You have established a recent dynamic student exchange program, that has developed a stronger tie for the communities here in Tacoma-Pierce County and the Sichuan province.
In the wake of the earthquake, Ron Chow, an officer on the city of University Place Sister City committee, has begun organizing local efforts to aid relief. Donations can be made to support the relief efforts through Wells Fargo bank under the account name University Place Sister Cities Association for China Earthquake Relief Fund. Check donations should be payable to University Place Sister Cities Association. All donations are tax deductable.
There will be a fundraisers this weekend. Activities in University Place include:
· Cash and check donations can be dropped off at the City Hall
· Students at Curtis High School intend to host a car wash at Curtis High School on Saturday, May 17, 2008
City of Lakewood fundraising activities include:
· Volunteers will be collecting donations from 11:00am –3:00pm at HomeScape Pro, located in the old Safeway building, next to Lakewood City Hall
Town of Steilacoom:
· Steilacoom High School intends to hold a car wash on
Saturday, May 17, 2008
· Cash and check donations can be dropped off at the Public Works Department building
City of DuPont:
· Cash and check donations can be dropped off at City Hall in DuPont
For information: Ron Chow
Contact: R3Kchow@comcast.net
Colleen Gause
Communications and Education Coordinator
World Trade Center Tacoma
950 Pacific Avenue, Suite 310
Tacoma, WA 98402
cgause@wtcta.org
Phone: 253.396.1022
