With just a few quarters Luis Lopez happily helps people he does not know. Luis is only seven years old and already knows exactly what happened in Japan. He said all he wants to do is help.
"Do you feel bad for those people," Action 4 News asked.
"Yes," Luis said.
"How much did you donate," Action 4 News asked.
"Two dollars," Luis said.
After a morning of shopping for groceries, Connie Donald took the little cash she had and dropped it into the box. She said if she has it to give she will.
"It doesn't seem to be getting any better over there," Donald said. "I feel sorry for them and I'm doing whatever I can to help. I've been trying to give whatever I can."
Donald said the Rio Grande Valley's willingness to help others has always been something she has admired.
Action 4 News asked Donald if she thought other people would donate as well.
"I do," Donald said. "Very much so. It's that community spirit down here. Everyone feels so sorry for the people in Japan."
Brian MacPherson with the American Red Cross told Action 4 News all of the donations they have collected thus far have come strictly from people calling and emailing--wanting to know how they can help.
"This fundraising effort here and other locations in the Valley is in response to donors request at how they can donate," MacPherson said.
The spirit of giving did not stop in Hidalgo County. It continued across the Valley in Harlingen and Brownsville.
Whether it is just a few quarters or even twenty dollars--every little bit will help a country devastated by disaster.
The "Relief 4 Japan" drive continues throught April 1st.
LOCATION & TIMES
We will broadcast live 5 - 6:30 p.m. from the Lone Star National Bank at 600 E. Nolana, in McAllen on Tuesday, March 29th .
“We are confident the Spirit of the Valley will be felt by those in need in Japan, and we thank you our viewers for making a donation” said Keeler.
If you would like to make a donation, contact KGBT-4 News Director Kimberly Wyatt at kwyatt@valleycentral.com or Lone Star National Bank Marketing Director Edna De Saro at desaroe@lonestarnationalbank.com.
HOW TO DONATE
Bank:
Lone Star National Bank locations across the Rio Grande Valley
Japan Disaster Relief Fund
Account #: 3625007444
By phone:
English 1-800-733-2767
Spanish 1-800-257-7575
TDD Operator 1-800-220-4095
Via Text MESSAGE:
Text REDCROSS to 90999 (Will bill your cell phone bill $10.00)
By Mail:
American Red Cross
P.O. Box 2202
Harlingen, TX 78551
Please designate your mailed in donation by writing Japan on the memo line of check.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKGBT