Assemblymember Furutani, CSU Dominguez Hills Host Donation Drive to Benefit American Samoa

On October 12, 55th District Assemblymember Warren T. Furutani (D-South Los Angeles County), along with members of the Asian Pacific Islander Caucus and other local officials, community groups and labor unions, held a press conference at California State University, Dominguez Hills to announce local efforts to assist the islands of American Samoa and independent Samoa on their road to recovery after the earthquake and tsunami that hit the islands on Sept. 29.

“[Samoa] and its people need our help and support due to the devastating effects of the tsunami that hit the islands recently,” said Furutani. “While this may be only one small step on their way to recovery, ensuring that they have the resources to begin to rebuild is critical.”

Furutani’s district is home to one of the nation’s largest Samoan populations outside of the Pacific where numerous Samoan community groups can be found throughout West Long Beach and Carson.

Students in a leadership class spearheaded a donation drive on campus that collected clothing, food and other household necessities for the tsunami victims. Marco Dowell, director, Office of Student Life, teaches the class, which is named “Exploring Leadership for College Students Who Want to Make a Difference.” He says that when local community members dropped their donations off on campus, they thanked the students profusely for their efforts.

“Giving is leadership and at a time like this, it is what is expected of us as student leaders,” he says, “Seeing that we're all connected and putting others first. There were students in the class whose families were affected by it. It's who we are as a community of people. We are all connected. We answer the call when others are in need.”

Furutani announced other community contributions including those of the Los Angeles Firefighters Association, who donated t-shirts and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), which has pledged to ship donated goods to the islands free of charge. Monetary and other contributions were accepted to benefit the “Help Samoa Relief Project” following the press conference, including a check for $10,000 from the Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus.

Other dignitaries in attendance included Chief Loa Pele Faletogo, president and executive director, Samoan Federation of America, June Pouesi, director, Office of Samoan Affairs, Assemblymember Ted Lieu (53rd Dist.), and Assemblymember Mike Eng (49th Dist.).

CSU Dominguez Hills set up a call center for students to connect with family on the islands, provided counseling services, and alerted students to emergency financial aid loan opportunities.

“The unexpected can happen to us too,” says Dowell. “We would hope that other countries and states would help us. As humans we are all about the same purpose, survival.”

For more information on how to contribute to local aid for Samoa, visit www.helpsamoa.com.

- Amy Bentley-Smith and Joanie Harmon

Photo above: Assemblyman Warren Furutani (in front at left) welcomed members of the local community to a press conference on aiding Samoan tsunami victims. Chief Loa Pele Faletogo, president and executive director, Samoan Federation of America (at podium) addressed CSU Dominguez Hills students, faculty and staff and members of local and state governments.

Photo by Joanie Harmon