NEW YORK (Map) - NEW YORK, May 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Concerned Chinese and American friends today announced the formation of a relief fund with plans to assist children affected by the recent devastating earthquake in Sichuan Province, China. The Sichuan Deyang Earthquake Relief Foundation will use its local family and friendship ties on the ground in Deyang City, Sichuan Province, one of the hardest hit areas. The group will help facilitate meeting the immediate physical and psychological needs of children in Deyang City who experienced the earthquake or who may have lost family members in this tragedy.

"We have been deeply affected by the catastrophe that has hit the region. Our hearts and prayers go out to all who are grieving or still searching for their loved ones," said Dayong Liu, a member of the Sichuan Deyang Earthquake Relief Foundation who was born in Deyang. "With the help of like-minded Chinese and American friends and our surviving friends and family in Deyang, we are focused on helping Deyang's children who have lost so much. We hope to supplement immediate disaster efforts by the Chinese Government and the Red Cross by providing professional psychological counseling and practical support to these children as quickly as possible. Later, we hope to assist in the rebuilding of Deyang, particularly its schools. We are now making a call to all who may wish to join us to make a donation to support these efforts."

About Deyang:

Deyang, a densely populated city, is located in Western Sichuan Province, approximately 60 miles from the quake's epicenter in Wenchun County. It is one of three major cities immediately surrounding the earthquake's epicenter. Deyang, a city of about 4 million people, encountered severe casualties, with a current death toll of 6,000.

About Sichuan Deyang Earthquake Relief Foundation:

The Sichuan Deyang Earthquake Relief Foundation was founded by more than 15 people living in the U.S. and China, including five who call Deyang their hometown. Members of the group have established a network of surviving friends and family members in Deyang, who will help ensure the foundation's support is properly stewarded. It is a Delaware-registered, Not-for-Profit Organization.

For additional information on the Sichuan region and up-to-date information on the foundation's relief efforts, please see the Sichuan Deyang Earthquake Relief Foundation's website: http://earthquakerelief.pbwiki.com.

To Support:

Please make checks payable to "Sichuan Deyang Earthquake Relief Foundation" and mail them to:

    Sichuan Deyang Earthquake Relief Foundation
    c/o Dennis Bai
    P.O. Box 4372
    New York, NY 10163
    Or by Wire:
    Sichuan Deyang Earthquake Relief Foundation
    Bank Account: Chase
    Routing Number: 021000021 Account Number: 773708094
    By Bank ACH transfer:
    Sichuan Deyang Earthquake Relief Foundation
    Bank Account: Chase
    ABA Routing Number: 021202337 Account Number: 773708094
    Please use the following EIN for tax purposes: EIN# 30-0481263