Chilean Families Rally Local Quake-relief Support

Nice article written by Christopher Huber from Sammamish Review about local Chilean families efforts to help raise funds for the Chile Relief and Development cause.

 

When Vicente Varas, an Eastlake High School sophomore, heard about the massive 8.8 earthquake Feb. 27, he knew he had to do something to help.

Varas was born and raised in Chile until age 11 and has family who were affected. He and his brother, Inglewood Junior High student Santiago Varas, along with about 10 Chilean families in Sammamish, sprung into action to raise money for their family and for the Red Cross.

“We were kind of shocked … and we wanted to help in some way possible,” Vicente Varas said. “We wanted to use our talents.”

In all, local Chilean families have so far raised nearly $5,000 at school events and various workplace events, according to tallies from Nicole Eisenberg, of Sammamish.

Eisenberg and her children got the word out at Margaret Mead Elementary’s used book fair and pancake breakfast.

The Varas family held a collection at the Eastlake Fire and Safety Fair and raised more than $500 in all March 12 and 13, Eisenberg said.

“Everybody tried to help out with what their particular skills were,” she said. “Everyone’s kind of thinking, ‘what can I do,’ and ‘how can I help.’”

One of the first things the Varas brothers did was make a Facebook page and announce it at their respective schools, Vicente said. read more.

Want to help? Donate to Chile Relief and Development Here