2005 Year in Review

Tsunami Fund Donations exceeded goal

L-R: Marilyn Vegter and Monica Peterson, Whiteside News-Sentinel; Robert Vaughn, thecity1.com; Don Beswick and Marjorie Croy, Community State Bank.

Nearly two months after the deadly Indian Ocean tsunami, Thai and foreign workers are still trying to identify the dead and notify families. Many victims continue to live in makeshift camps. Among them are hundreds of children orphaned by the deadly waves.

The most powerful earthquake in 40 years erupted under the Indian Ocean near Sumatra on Dec. 26, 2004. The magnitude of this earthquake was a 9.0 on the Richter scale and triggered waves up to 50 feet high at speeds of 430 MPH. Those waves killed almost 300,000 people. An estimated over two million were displaced. It caused giant, deadly waves to crash ashore in nearly a dozen countries.

The community of Morrison has once again shown its willingness to help others. The UNICEF drive set up for Tsunami relief by Community State Bank, Whiteside News-Sentinel and thecity1.com has reached its goal to raise $1,000 for the Tsunami Relief fund.

Representatives from each entity gathered Tuesday afternoon and the final amount was mailed. $1,025 was raised from the community of Morrison.

Devastation struck again on Monday, March 28, 2005 as an 8.7 earthquake off Indonesia erupted, once again sending people into a panic to reach higher ground for fear of another Tsunami. Though this quake was very strong it is reported that it was deeper in the ocean reducing the chance of another massive destruction. This quake was about 200 miles south of the December 26 quake.

It was reported there is a fear that thousands more have lost their lives in this latest disaster. More than 400 people have been confirmed dead.

The three businesses would like to thank those who donated for this devastating disaster fund.

by Dawn Zuidema, theCity1.com
March 30, 2005