Hidaya Foundation Announces Collection Drive for Asia Quake and Tidal Disaster Victims

For Immediate Release:
Hidaya Foundation Announces Collection Drive for Asia Quake and Tidal Disaster Victims:

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, USA, DECEMBER 31, 2004. Hidaya Foundation (www.hidaya.org) has started collecting in-kind donations for the victims of the Tidal Wave Disaster caused by a 9.0 Richter scale earthquake off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. Tidal waves up to 30ft tall caused much devastation in India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Thailand and several other countries. Over 100,000 people have died; tens of thousands more are still missing. Several million people have become homeless in more than 12 countries.

Hidaya Foundation has initiated relief efforts in Sri Lanka and is planning to also work with organizations in India and Indonesia to provide funds for medical supplies, temporary shelters, and particularly long term rehabilitation for victims of the disaster.

Hidaya Foundation has collected more than $30,000 in cash donations since the drive began on Monday, December 27, 2004. Hidaya Foundation is now announcing an emergency re-routing of its container program to deliver relief supplies to Sri Lanka. On January 10th, 2005 Hidaya Foundation will ship a 40 ft container stocked with relief supplies for victims in Sri Lanka.

Hidaya Foundation is requesting people of all denominations and faiths to donate generously to help alleviate the victims of this tragedy of unprecedented human suffering. In addition to monetary donations, we are currently collecting new and used blankets, clothes, shoes, medical supplies, bottled water, plastic sheeting, computers, toys, and other emergency supplies. We are requesting all donations intended for Sri Lanka be delivered by January 9th, 2005 at our Milpitas collection facility.


Cash donations may be made online at our website at http://www.hidaya.org by credit card or by checks payable to "Hidaya Foundation' and should be mailed to:
Hidaya Foundation
P.O. Box 5481
Santa Clara, CA 95056-5481

In-kind donations may be dropped off at our collection facility Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00PM-4:00PM at:
91 Montague Expressway
Milpitas, CA 95035.
Ph: (866) 244 3292 Toll Free or (408) 244 3282 (Pl. call to schedule an off-hour drop-off.)

Items we are especially requesting include:

*Blankets/ Sleeping Mats/ Bags
*Tents/ Tarpaulins/ Field beds
*Nutritional Supplies
*Collapsible water tanks/ motor pumps
*Shelter Equipment
*Clothing/Shoes
*Cooking Utensils (pots pans, light-weight crockery/ cutlery)
*Computers (network/ modem enabled)
*Toys
*Hoisted search lights
*Medical Supplies (emergency medical kits)
*Water Purification Tablets
*Disinfectants/ Cleaning supplies
*Latex Gloves/ Ponchos
*Multi-purpose Tools (shovels,
*Large Plastic Bags
*Portable Generators
*Utensils
*Personal hygiene items
*Large plastic storage containers


For additional information, please visit our website http://www.hidaya.org or email us at Waseem_Baloch@hidaya.org.

About Hidaya Foundation:
Founded in 1999, Hidaya Foundation undertook a mission to implement educational, social welfare, and charitable projects in economically depressed areas of Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Africa, USA, and Canada. Since January 2000, Hidaya has sent over 20 containers filled with donated books, computers, clothes, toys, and medical supplies to Pakistan and Bangladesh. Additionally, Hidaya Foundation organizes meals for more than 1 million people each year for people living in extreme poverty.

Contact Information:
Waseem Baloch
Hidaya Foundation
1765 Scott Blvd. Suite 115
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Telephone: 408-244-3282, 1-866-2HIDAYA (866-244-3292)
Fax: 1-866-3HIDAYA (866-344-3292)

Hidaya Foundation is a non-profit 501 (C) (3) educational and charitable organization with FEIN # 77-0502583. Your donations are tax deductible.

Hidaya Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, age, physical appearance, country of origin, language or educational background.