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Friends of Sri Lanka
Fund recognizes Duanesburg Elementary School's contribution
October 20, 2006 - Duanesburg Elementary School students, staff and
families received a plaque in mid-October from the Friends of Sri
Lanka Fund for raising more than $5,000 to purchase 100 new fishing
boats for villagers living in Hambantota in the aftermath of the
December 2004 tsunami.
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Duanesburg
Elementary School is inscribed on the
boat pictured above. |
Elementary teacher Linda Armour
coordinated the efforts of the elementary school, which adopted the
village of Hambantota in southeastern Sri Lanka because it was the
hometown of Cobleskill resident Tuan Razik. Razik lost many close
family members and friends to the tsunami. Last year, DES
spearheaded several local fundraising campaigns with all profits
donated to the Friends of Sri Lanka Fund.
The "Change for Change" campaign raised nearly $4,000 by
collecting change from students, faculty and staff at the elementary
school. A volunteer performance by Kingston science educator Jeff
Boyer raised $800, while local businesses showed their support by
donating goods and services to a silent auction that raised more
than $500.
Ruth Pelham, director of Music Mobile in Albany, organized the
fund through M&T Bank. The purpose of the fund was originally to
support Razik’s trip home, but it changed once he returned to Sri
Lanka and identified another more pressing concern - the need for
new fishing boats for villagers. The Friends of Sri Lanka Fund
raised approximately $94,430 from schools, businesses, organizations
and individuals.
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