Helping with tsunami relief

(NEWSCHANNEL 3) – Recently, a tsunami left nearly 200 people dead in Samoa and destroyed villages and homes.

Now, a West Michigan couple is working to bring financial aid to those devastated by the huge waves.

The day after the tsunami ravaged Samoa, Samoan-born Emily DeLasko got a frantic call at her Holland home from her sister.

"They couldn't reach her brothers, they couldn't reach her family," said Shawn DeLasko.

Eventually, Emily learned that her brothers were okay, but her uncle was killed in the tsunami. Shawn also got word that the folks he'd lived with while in the Peace Corps had survived, but there were many who didn't make it.

Now, the DeLasko's look at pictures from before the tsunami hit, before the villages in Samoa were wiped out.

"Emily's family, not only did they live in the village, but that was their livelihood," said Shawn. "That's where they have jobs."

Now, the villagers have no homes, no schools, no churches, and limited food and water supplies.

"Right now they are living in the mountains, they still have no homes, they created make-shift huts, open house structure, they are relying on a plantation," said Shawn.

Looking for a way to help, the DeLasko's set up a website showing before and after pictures. They are collecting donations from West Michigan to help those in Samoa who have nothing left.

"They are trying to rebuild and clean up the mess down there," said Emily.

The DeLasko's are partnering with Beechwood Church in Holland to get the word out, to ask West Michigan to help those who have lost so much.

If you'd like to help out, you can find the Samoa Relief website at www.samoarelief.webs.com.

Donations can also be sent to

Attention: Samoa Donations

Beechwood Church

895 W. Ottawa Beach Rd.

Holland, MI 49424