Gannett grant offers thousands in relief

MICHAEL BURNHAM, THE OLYMPIAN

OLYMPIA -- The Gannett Foundation and The Olympian donated $10,000 in earthquake relief Thursday to The Community Foundation, a nonprofit organization that serves Thurston, Mason and Lewis counties.

"We're pleased that the Gannett Foundation and The Olympian can assist in relief efforts for the many Thurston County residents displaced by the earthquake," said Robert W. Ritter, president and publisher of The Olympian. "While we're all thankful that no one was killed and that injuries were relatively minor, we can't forget those who suffered severe damage to their homes."

The Olympian is owned by the Gannett Corporation.

Community Foundation Executive Director Colleen Gillespie said the Gannett donation raises the foundation's earthquake relief contributions to $60,000.

The Gannett donation might be used to create a disaster relief fund, Gillespie said.

The other $50,000 of The Community Foundation's quake relief pool came from the Marguerite Bishop Fund from The Seattle Foundation.

"They've decided to give us the entire year's distribution," Gillespie said of The Seattle Foundation's contribution, which is restricted for construction repairs and equipment replacement.

The Community Foundation has already contributed $7,315 in earthquake relief to the Thurston/Mason County American Red Cross, said Kay Walters, the Red Cross chapter's executive director.

The Red Cross chapter has also received donations of $9,000 from Olympia's sister city in Yashiro, Japan, and $2,220 in individual contributions.

"It makes me feel good, but we have a long way to go," Walters said.

"We've committed $32,000 to direct-service delivery," she added of the delivery of food, clothing and other services. "People are sending in checks, but we need them to continue to do so."

Other donations

The Thurston County Commission on Monday commended the Miller Brewing Co. for donating 111,000 40-ounce bottles of water to the community. The bottles came from an out-of-state, western plant that shut down beer operations to produce the water.

As of Monday, 86,000 bottles of the water had been given out.

Also, DC Cab offered free rides on the day of the quake.

Prime Connection real estate donated Ralph's Thriftway grocery store gift certificates to folks put out of their homes, and Top Foods and other community grocery stores donated food for those made homeless.

On the web:
Gannett Foundation (www.gannettfoundation.org)
American Red Cross (www.redcross.org)
Earthquake links

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