Requests from the field and Chengdu fundraisers

Forwarded to us from our new friends at Chengdu's English-language magazine Chengdoo (Thanks Joe and Jane!). We are posting these up because the needs are real and time-sensitive. Many have died, but the living need help too. Now.

Many areas of help are needed right now, so feel free to read through each of these and make a decision for yourself which cause is closest to your heart and which organisation you'd like to support. Business owners! Now is the time to make a difference! We are sure organisers of the various events listed below will appreciate any kind of help they can get now, so feel free to get in touch with them below:

REQUESTS from the FIELD>>>
Dragon Expeditions (www.dragonexpeditions.com) has been going on rescue missions in hard-to-access areas. Yesterday they returned from Yingchang Gou and Huilong Gou in Longmen—an area north of Chengdu—with eight survivors and a dog who had been unable to find a route through the landslides. For their next mission they're looking for used inflatable boats and aerosol paint. These supplies will be needed by Monday evening and can be dropped off at the Bookworm if anybody has them.

The Bookworm is working on a project involving 4,000 displaced middle-school students who have arrived in the city. Bedding has been delivered for each of them, but bamboo mats are still needed. One mat costs between RMB15 to 20 each, so funds would still be appreciated so that they can be purchased in bulk.

This morning 180 boxes arrived from Shanghai containing clothes and food which were delivered on two large trucks during the day to Mianzhu and surrounding villages that have been less addressed by the larger rescue efforts than other areas.

UPDATED LIST of SUPPLIES GENERALLY NEEDED>>>
plastic and rubber gloves (urgent)
sanitation supplies
pesticides
rice
tarpaulins
family tents
medical supplies: splints, disinfectants, iodine, antibiotic ointments, bandages;
pain relievers: aspirin, Ibuprofen, etc.
hygiene packs: females and males and children separately; incl. feminine products; insulin is not a major need
These can be dropped off at Heart to Heart, the Bookworm, High Connections Coffee

FUNDRAISING EFFORTS>>>
Saturday, May 24—an unofficial half-marathon will be run, departing at 7:30 a.m. from Renmin Nan Lu, just south of Sanhuan Lu (人民南路四段和三环路)
Donations to support this can be made at www.justgiving.com/ChengduHalfMarathon.
The funds go directly to The China Children and Teenagers' Fund. They have given over 2 million yuan to the relief effort and will be active in the efforts to secure clothing, homes, food and families for those affected. Donations can be made with credit or debit card.
Contact Kelly Ponton at kellyponton@gmail.com

A Call to Artists: Fundraising Art Auction in Chengdu, China
The art auction hopes to raise money to donate to the orphans of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake disaster.
We propose to hold a fundraising art auction in the city of Chengdu, Sichuan. The exhibition will show the work of visual artists from both China and Australia. We propose to hold the exhibition and auction sometime between June and August 2008, depending on the schedule of the art gallery.
As this is a fundraising exhibition it will be expected that the participating artist will donate their art work as well as pay for the shipping fee.
If you wish to participate please send an image of your work (any example) and a short bio to: jessiealethea@yahoo.com or mutagenik@yahoo.co.uk