This weekend, a Mack Benn Jr. Elementary School student is setting up a drive-thru to collect spare change to help tsunami victims.

Diners packed Pisces Restaurant

Tuesday, helping the new downtown eatery raise $1,100 for the American Red Cross.

King’s Fork Middle School students defeated faculty during a special basketball game that raised more than $1,400 for relief efforts.

These are the latest in efforts across the city to aid the hundreds of thousands of victims affected by one of the worst natural disasters in world history.

Largely thanks to these innovative fundraisers, Suffolk individuals, businesses and organizations have contributed upwards of $6,500 to the Red Cross’ tsunami relief efforts, said Donna Perry, spokeswoman in the Suffolk office.

&uot;The outpouring of compassion has just been remarkable,&uot; said Perry.

Several businesses and organizations have ongoing fundraisers, which will push the local chapter closer to its $25,000 goal for relief efforts, Perry said.

Nationwide, the agency has collected $160 million for tsunami relief, nearly half of the $400 million the organization is hoping to raise.

&uot;That is what we expect it will cost us,&uot; said Perry. &uot;We aren’t just there to cover their immediate needs.

&uot;We will be there for the duration, while the lives of people in those counties are being rebuilt.&uot;

People’s generosity never ceases to amaze her, Perry said.

&uot;The American spirit has truly shined through again, just as it always does,&uot; she said. &uot;Anytime something like this happens, everybody – even the children – jumps in to help.

&uot;Americans always come through for their fellow man.&uot;

Contributions can be made

by calling 1-800-HELP-NOW, going to www.redcross.org., or by mailing the American Red Cross-Suffolk Chapter, P.O. Box 129, Suffolk, Va. 23439-0129.

allison.williams@suffolknewsherald.com