P ATRICK M ENDIS

11628 Newbridge Court

pmendis@umuc.edu Reston, VA 20191 703-860-3138

January 5, 2005

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

Many people have been calling me – looking for a non-governmental (NGO), more direct, grass roots way to support people affected by the tsunami tragedy, especially those in hardest-hit Sri Lanka.

  As a child growing up in Sri Lanka, I worked with the Sarvodaya movement led by Dr. A. T. Ariyaratne, the Gandhi of Sri Lanka.  Ari’s influence on my life is profiled in the book, Stone Soup for the World: Life-Changing Stories of Everyday Heroes by Marianne Larned – with a forward by Walter Cronkite (see attached story).

Founded in 1958 as a youth service and leadership development movement, Sarvodaya is a term Gandhi used for "awakening of all."  Located in 11,000 villages, the Sarvodaya is the largest grass-root development and hu mani tarian organization in the world.   The organization is best prepared to work with the thousands of tsunami survivors who have escaped death but now face diseases and other destitution.  I’d like to invite you to join me in supporting the heroes of the Sarvodaya movement on the front lines.

The famed futurist and science-fiction author Sir Arthur C. Clarke, a 50-year resident of Sri Lanka, after the tsunami struck, recommended that the entire world “consider supporting Sarvodaya, the largest development charity in Sri Lanka, which has a 45-year track record in reaching out and helping the poorest of the poor." He noted that, "Sarvodaya has mounted a well-organized, countrywide relief effort using their countrywide network of offices and volunteers who work in all parts of the country, well above ethnic and other divisions." 

In orderto support the on-going relief operation by Sarvodaya and others, I have established a special account at the U.S. State Department Federal Credit Union (SDFCU): Tsunami Relief Fund, which can receive your contribution. You may either:

• Direct deposit your checks in the Tsunami Relief Fund account # 72133-01 at SDFCU, 1630 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. Electronic transfers may be made using the ABA routing number 2560-7534-2 with the designation Tsunami Relief Fund and checking account # 72133-01;
  
• Alternatively, mail your checks to Dr. Patrick Mendis, SDFCU, 11628 Newbridge Court, Reston, VA 20191.

As an American citizen, I want sincerely to thank you in advance for your generous support.  I know a little bit about American generosity because I am a product of American giving and am an “adopted” Minnesotan. Together we can now help those most in need as quickly as possible.

Sincerely,

Patrick

Patrick Mendis