February 17, 2005
News for AnimeNEXT 2005:
AnimeNEXT matches tsunami relief donations
AnimeNEXT, the largest independently organized anime convention in the New York metropolitan area, has announced a campaign to make donations to UNICEF, The United Nations Children's Fund, for tsunami victims in South East Asia. Douglas Lu, President of Universal Animation, the non-profit group that organizes the event, said, "The mission of Universal Animation and AnimeNEXT is to bring awareness of Japanese and Asian culture to our attendees. I thought getting donations to UNICEF, would be a great way to make our attendees aware of the plight of tsunami victims."
AnimeNEXT will match the donations made from their website, up to $5000. Lu added, "AnimeNEXT is a fan-based not-for-profit organization. I can't think of a better way to exhibit good will and bring some understanding of what has happened in Asia."
Donations can be made directly at AnimeNEXT's website, www.animenext.org. These donations will go right to UNICEF. AnimeNEXT was careful to choose a charitable organization that everyone would be familiar with and is aiding victims of the tsunami directly.
With the immediate survival stage of the crisis response largely -- and very successfully -- completed, UNICEF expects to spend a minimum of $300 million on tsunami recovery over the next 36 months. This longer-term effort will include the restoration of schools, health centers, safe water systems and other fundamental services that keep children alive and well.
Your money can help children in the following ways; $5 can provide an emergency health kit for one person for three months, with medical supplies and drugs to cover basic health needs, or $87 can provide a basic family water kit for ten households, with detergent, soap, wash basin, towels, bucket and water purification tablets.
Universal Animation, the non-profit group that organizes AnimeNEXT is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the appreciation of Anime and Manga in the United States. Founded in 2002 in NYC, Universal Animation is responsible for planning AnimeNEXT, which is held annually in the Tristate (NY/NJ/CT) area. Universal Animation is an independent organization with no affiliation to any commercial entities.
The Board of Directors is composed of professionals in many disparate industries, including Finance, the US Government, Education, and Information Technology.
AnimeNEXT 2005
Dates: June 17-19, 2005
Venue: Meadowlands Expo Center
Hotel: Holiday Inn Meadowlands
http://www.animenext.org
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