Helping needy Central Americans

Dear Editor,

I read your article on Central America and the effects of Hurricane Mitch, and I appreciate that you have informed the Cal State Long Beach students of this tragedy.

I felt that one thing was missing and that was how to help these people. Many there have died, many are sick or injured and many are homeless. We as a school could lend a hand by donating necessary items such as drinking water, medical supplies and dried food.

The medical supplies could be ibuprofen, gauze or antibiotics and the dried foods could be dried milk, oats or corn meal. We could also donate money to agencies that can buy these things and transport them to be distributed where it is most needed. Some reputable agencies are:

The American Red Cross

2700 Wilshire Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90057

(800) 435-7669

CARE

151 Ellis St. NE

Atlanta, GA 30303-2426

(800) 422-7385

Catholic Relief Services

P.O. Box 17090

Baltimore, MD 21203-7090

(800) 235-2772

Save the Children,

Hurricane Mitch

Emergency Appeal

P.O. Box 975-M

54 Wilton Road

Westport, CT 06880

(800) 243-5075

People could also bring supplies to the embassies of these countries. I am collecting supplies to send to Central America through other agencies.

I can be contacted at Rodri001@earthlink.net.

­ Jennifer Rodriguez

Health Science