 October / November 2011 Flooding in Thailand
The devastating floods in Thailand started in early August 2011, with heavy rainfall up north that just didn't quit. By mid-October, Ayutthya – which is 50 miles north of Bangkok – was swamped. By late October, the floods gathered in Bangkok, and rolled over the city. As I write this, in mid-November, it looks like the worst of it's over, but it will take a month just to dry out, and many more months for life to return to anything close to normal.
At this point, the death toll stands at more than 500, with an estimated 2 million people looking at homes, farms, factories, schools and hospitals bathed in putrid mud. Many people lost everything in the flood. Many more will be coping with the aftermath for years. In the grand scale of things, the flood has caused much more damage than the tsunami. I know. I lived through the tsunami.
October / November 2011 Flood Evacuation
Here in Phuket we are safe from the devastation. Phuket's an island, more than 1,000km south of the floodplain. But we have friends and family in flood-stricken areas. We know the people who have been hurt. And we want to help.
Within the Sandwich Shoppes and Khun Woody's Bakery, we are collecting clothes from staff, friends, and family. Our staff banded together and put on two bake sales, with all of the proceeds going to flood relief. We've participated in blood drives, and helped cook meals headed up north. We have Rotary Club Flood Relief Donation Collection Boxes in all our Sandwich Shoppes. If you're in Phuket, drop by and lend a hand. Click here to see a YouTube video (in Thai) of flood relief efforts in Bangkok, featuring boats from Phuket's Rotary Club.
Should you wish to make a donation from overseas, I believe the most effective avenue is through your local Rotary Club. Admittedly, I'm biased. I'm a Past President and current Treasurer of the Rotary Club of Patong Beach. After the tsunami our Rotary Club managed donations in excess of US $ 1,000,000. We built houses and schools and fishing boats and water systems. We're still putting 280 orphaned kids through school. And we did it with exactly zero overhead. Like all Rotary Clubs, money donated to a particular charitable cause goes directly to the people in need. Overhead costs are all absorbed by Rotarians, as part of their annual giving, and the work is done by volunteers.
October / November 2011 Flood Evacuation
If you want to help the flood-affected people in Thailand, convince your local Rotary Club to take up the cause. The local Club can go through their Rotary District, or we'll work with them directly. If you want to make an individual donation, the Rotary Club of Patong Beach has set up a special fund for flood victims:
All the best to you,
"Khun Woody" Leonhard
Flood Relief Fund details:
| Account Name: |
Rotary Club of Patong Beach /
Charity
Account Number: 563-3-01480-7 |
| Bank: |
Bangkok Bank PLC., Co., Ltd. |
| Branch Address: |
147 Rat-U-Thit 200 Pee Road,
Patong Beach
Amphur Kathu,
Phuket 83150, Thailand |
| SWIFT Code: |
BKK BTH BK |
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