Stanford Report, February 2, 2005

President's family pledges $5,000 to match contributions from students

Dear Members of the Stanford Community:

I know that in recent weeks we have all looked for ways to support relief efforts for the hundreds of thousands of people who are suffering as a result of the earthquake and tsunami in South Asia.

I have been deeply moved by the compassion of Stanford students who have organized a group called Stanford Student Relief to support disaster relief efforts of the international community. The student group has selected Save the Children as the beneficiary of its disaster-related fundraising efforts. The students have set a goal to raise $100,000 from members of the Stanford community.

My family and I want to support their efforts in bringing humanitarian aid to the victims of the tsunami and have made a commitment to match up to $5,000 in student contributions. As you well know, Stanford has long played a role in helping people in need, and one of our most illustrious alumni, Herbert Hoover, will long be remembered for heroic efforts to feed millions of hungry people in Europe after both World Wars. I hope you will join me in supporting our students as they continue a university tradition of taking on the responsibilities of world citizens and supporting those in dire need of our help.

Donations can be made through the website at http://ssfr.stanford.edu.

Sincerely,

John L. Hennessy