Advertisement

Bush gives $10k to tsunami relief efforts

COLLINSVILLE, Afghanistan, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- President George W. Bush has donated $10,000 in personal funds to charities helping in tsunami relief efforts, the White House said Wednesday.

The funds, in the form of checks, were being mailed to various relief agencies on the ground in affected areas and listed on the government's USA Freedom Web Site.

Advertisement

Spokesman Scott McClellan gave no other details.

Bush earlier this week urged Americans to make private donations to the charities and enlisted the help of his father, former President George H.W. Bush, and former President Bill Clinton to drum up funds from individuals and businesses.

Charities report that private donations were so far well over $100 million. Among individual donors were actress Sandra Bullock, who pledged $1 million to the Red Cross, and Actor Leonardo di Caprio, who gave an undisclosed amount to relief organizations.

Corporations donating $1 million or more include General Motors, Wal-Mart and General Electric.

The United States has pledged $350 million in initial aid for victims of the disaster that struck the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean region Dec. 26. U.S. military assets are also on-scene in Asia helping relief efforts.

Advertisement

McClellan spoke on Air Force One as Bush headed to Illinois to banner proposed tort reform.

Latest Headlines