Human Rights Campaign gives $100,000 to tsunami relief

A humanitarian service agency that seeks charitable contributions from the gay community announced on Wednesday that it had received a gift of $100,000 from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation to support tsunami relief efforts in Southeast Asia. "Our work puts our community's highest beliefs and values into action," said Jeffrey Cotter, president of the Rainbow World Fund. "HRC's contribution reaffirms the GLBT community's commitment to service and charity and will inspire thousands of others to give what they can to support relief efforts." "The GLBT community joins with the rest of the world in demonstrating compassion for the tsunami victims in Southeast Asia," said Bruce Bastian, a member of HRC's board of directors and lead sponsor of HRC's gift. "Americans are coming together like never before to help our friends across the globe." Steven Fisher, communications director for HRC, told Advocate.com that no general or program funds were used for the donation. "This money was donated specifically for the tsunami relief in the past week," he said. The sponsored contribution, along with individual gifts, will go directly to tsunami relief efforts across Southeast Asia to provide food, water, shelter, medical supplies, and other critical provisions through CARE, Cotter said. "The tsunami aid drive is an important way for GLBT Americans and our friends and allies to help," added Cotter.