Tsunami Hope Chest: Updated Press Release

Here's the latest press release from the keyboard of Tampa Tom Iovino:

For Immediate Release: June 21, 2005
Media Contact: Tom Iovino, Publicity Manager
WWA_Publicity@yahoo.com
Woodworker's Website Association www.woodworking.org

Tsunami Hope Chest Proceeds to Help Survivors Rebuild

December 26, 2004 will long be remembered as one of the most tragic days in the World’s history. A massive undersea earthquake spawned a tsunami of epic proportions which ended nearly 200,000 lives in the nations surrounding the Indian Ocean.

And, while stories such as the death of Pope John Paul II, rising oil prices and the re-election of British Prime Minister Tony Blair have replaced tsunami news on world headlines, millions still struggle every day to rebuild their communities, families and their very lives.

To assist with this effort as we approach the six-month anniversary of this tragedy, the Woodworker’s Website Association’s (WWA) is teaming up with the Mercy Corps’ tsunami relief efforts ( http://www.mercycorps.org/items/2288/ ) to bring relief to those who need it most.

An exquisite handcrafted chest, built by Dave Shaw of Australian Wood Art ( www.australianwoodart.com ) is now available to bid on at eBay.com, and will continue through Sunday, June 26 – the six-month anniversary of the tragedy. WWA members donated nearly $3,000 to purchase exotic woods and supplies. The fine workmanship and creative development of this beautifully crafted piece can be seen in a series of photographs posted on the Internet at http://www.australianwoodart.com/tsunami.htm .

For auction previews and bidding, the chest may be seen at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5401393185 . All proceeds will be donated to assist the Mercy Corps’ relief fund in the tsunami-affected areas.

The WWA, a worldwide association of woodworkers, was established in 1997, and currently has nearly 5,000 registered members. The site features an interactive discussion forum, an expansive tool accident survey, tool reviews, numerous articles written by members and many other useful links to other woodworking sites. The site does not accept advertising from outside corporations, and is funded solely through membership fees. Notable members include the late woodworking author Danny Proulx, John Lucas of woodshopdemos.com and Tom Hintz, Webmaster of newwoodworker.com. For more information on the WWA, visit http://www.woodworking.org .

Editor’s Note: Photos available digitally upon request