CHERNOBYL+10 IN THE USA

In more than 30 states, environmental activists are working to make a real difference in the lives of the children of Chernobyl.

In Arcata, California; Detroit, Michigan; South Bend, Indiana; Washington, DC and many more, activists are collecting goods to send to Chernobyl victims.

In addition, scores of rallies, demonstrations, lectures, and commemoration ceremonies were held across the country from April 25-27, 1996.

The media may not have picked up on these activities where you are--they sure didn't do much in the Washington area--but thousands of people participated, learned, and became involved.

It's not too late to get involved. NIRS, Greenpeace and the Greens/Green Party USA have extended relief collection efforts until May 31. That doesn't mean, if you already have been collecting goods, that you must collect through that date. Rather, it means that NIRS and Children of Chernobyl will be accepting relief supplies until late June, so you can continue collecting through May.

In fact, because of a great U.S. response to needed goods, Children of Chernobyl cannot even accept any goods at its warehouse until after May 15--since the warehouse is currently full. On May 15, a plane loaded with needed supplies will fly to Kiev; it is our hope we'll fill another plane by late June.

If you haven't been involved in collecting Chernobyl relief supplies, it's not too late to help.

Financial contributions are desperately needed as well. There are three categories of such contributions.

1. For Chernobyl relief. These contributions will be pooled and 95% will be used to purchase additional goods, at wholesale or below, for Chernobyl victims. 5% goes to cover NIRS' accounting and other overhead costs to collect this money. We've already received $1,000 from Kansas Physicians for Social Responsibility and other checks from numerous concerned individuals. But the best we can do is make a small dent in the problem; Billions are needed to fully address the problems caused by Chernobyl.
2. You can help Eastern European anti-nuclear groups. Even small contributions make a big difference in these poor, still sometimes totalitarian states. You may choose which country's groups you would like to support, or NIRS will bundle all other contributions to a particularly dedicated organization in Bulgaria fighting two nuclear plants.
3. You can give a donation to NIRS to help us pay for the Chernobyl+10 campaign. NIRS received $15,000 to mount this national effort; we've spent at least $40,000. As usual, we tried to do what was needed, and not just what was funded.

Contributions to any of the above are fully tax-deductible. Be sure to mark on your check to which effort you want your money to go.

As always, we thank you for your support , your confidence in our efforts and your concern.