3 PIOs raise $1.5 million for Kerala relief |
Three Indian Americans from Chicago, Illinois have raised a remarkable $1.5 million in five days to aid the over one million victims of the devastating floods in Kerala, which have claimed 400 lives.Arun Nellamattom, Ajomon Poothurail, and Abin Kulathilkarottu – all natives of the flood-ravaged state – created a Facebook fundraising page Aug. 15, Kerala Flood Relief Fund from USA. The trio shut down the page Aug. 20, but then were asked by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s office to relaunch the fundraising effort.As of Aug. 23, the site had raised $1.5 million, from 30,000 donations, ranging in amounts from $20 to over $250. All donations are being channeled through the Care and Share Foundation, a 501 (c) 3-approved charity, which allows donors to receive a tax credit.Another Indian American NGO, Sewa International, has raised over $10,000 for the flood relief operations in the state. Sewa International, which led Indian American efforts during Hurricane Harvey in Houston last year, will channel funds through its India partner, Deseeya Seva Bharati Keralam, it said.
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