Lawrence is stepping forward to provide thousands of dollars for relief efforts in south Asian countries devastated by last week’s tsunami.

The Douglas County chapter of the American Red Cross is accepting donations for a relief fund and at least one nightclub and restaurant have joined the act.

“We’ve collected quite a bit of money — a few thousand dollars — just during the past week, and we’re still getting calls,” said Jane Blocher, executive director of the Douglas County chapter of the American Red Cross.

Many area churches also have taken up special offerings designated for tsunami relief.

“We had so many calls from people wanting to know what they could do to help, we had a ‘second offering’ at all masses last weekend,” said Susan Campbell, administrative assistant at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 1234 Ky.

All of the money raised by the church will be forwarded to Catholic Relief Services’ efforts in areas affected by the tsunami.

First United Methodist Church, 946 Vt., held a similar collection.

“From the moment the tsunami hit, our organization — it’s called United Methodist Committee on Relief or UMCoR — designated a number for (tsunami) relief efforts,” said Sharon Howell, pastor at First United Methodist Church. “And then 100 percent of the offering collected for tsunami relief efforts goes into the fund. All of the administrative costs are covered by other monies made available by the church.”

Howell said would-be donors also could contribute through their local churches or directly to the churches’ national organizations.

Already, the Islamic Center of Lawrence, 1917 Naismith Drive, has raised $4,000 for relief efforts.

Former presidents to lead private fund-raising drive Attorney general warns of scams Center offers tips on tsunami relief (1-3-05)

“We will continue to collect money for victims until the end of the week,” said center director Moussa Elbayoumy.

Elbayoumy said a center member from Indonesia was contacting relief efforts specifically aimed at rural areas.

“It’s our position that most of the major charities’ efforts tend to be in major cities,” Elbayoumy said. “That’s fine, but we would like to see what we can do to get aid directly to the agencies in the more remote areas.”

Sri Lanka was one of the countries hit especially hard by the disaster. A small group of Kansas University students from Sri Lanka and their spouses are banding together to collect money to assist efforts in their country.

“It’s been a very harrowing experience for them,” said Lanny Maddux, a KU campus minister who is assisting the students. “They have collected donations from (residents at) Stouffer Place.”

The Sri Lankans also plan to set up a collection table soon at Checkers Foods, 2300 La., said Chamani Perera, whose wife, Nalin, is a KU student. Anyone wanting to donate money to them also can call the Pereras at 812-3328.

The Pereras have learned their immediate family members in Sri Lanka survived the tsunami, but they are not sure about property losses, Chamani said.

Locally, the Red Cross is not accepting volunteers to send to Asia, Blocher said. Only specifically trained volunteers are being sent to assist, she said.

Money donated to Douglas County Red Cross is being placed in local accounts. One large check will be sent later to the national Red Cross for placement in an international response fund account, Blocher said.

“That is the most efficient way of doing it,” she said.

During its New Year’s Eve festivities employees at Abe & Jake’s Landing, 8 E. Sixth St., collected a “large amount” of money for the Red Cross, Blocher said. A collection jar also is in Mojo’s restaurant, 714 Vt.

Donations also can be taken to the Red Cross office, 2518 Ridge Court. Cash, checks, credit cards or money orders are being accepted, Blocher said.