posted Jan 13th, 2005 - Kaleidoscope Dives manager of SkyQuest Florida, World Team leader and former IPC President BJ Worth is leading an effort by skydivers to support the disaster relief after the tsunami damage in Thailand. Worth has a close connection to the "Land of the Smiles" where he has organised several skydiving events in the past. He explained the project in an e-mail that was sent to his following:

"As you know, on 26 December a powerful earthquake and the resulting tsunamis caused widespread destruction to regions of South Asia, including Thailand. The people of Thailand and the Royal Thai Armed Forces have long supported the international skydiving community. Now, many skydivers around the world want to show their support for Thailand in its hour of need.

The World Team Organizing Committee is working with the Royal Thai Air Force to make this possible. When we asked how we could best help in a tangible way, the answer was to send financial contributions that will be used directly to improve the lives of the survivors and rebuild the infrastructure and homes of the communities which have been devastated by this surreal natural disaster.

A non-profit charitable fund has been established in the United States to receive contributions from skydivers who wish to support the disaster relief for Thailand. The name of this fund is “Skydivers Supporting Thailand.” 100% of the funds received into this “SST” fund will be sent to a disaster relief fund maintained and coordinated by the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force in Thailand.

For those who want to help the Thai people suffering from this disaster, we encourage you to follow one of the following links: World Team or Thai Sky Festival, which provide details on how contributions can be made. Any amount of contribution will be greatly appreciated by the gracious people of Thailand."

The donations by skydivers began to come in quickly since Worth sent a very promising update shortly after his original message:

"The Royal Thai Air Force contacted Larry Henderson in the wee hours this morning, to report how thrilled they are that the international skydiving community is generating relief funds for the disaster in Thailand. Three top RTAF Generals – ACM Kongsak, (Commander-in-Chief), ACM Chalit (Chairman of Organizing Committee for international skydiving events), and AVM Bunchuay (World Team’s hero in the RTAF) have decided they will use these funds to help rebuild a village in the Narong Province – one the hardest hit areas in Thailand.

Mini-villages are being rebuilt with ten homes to a village. They can rebuild one home for each $2500 received. Our collective goal is for World Team and the international skydiving community to support the construction of one complete mini-village. This will require $25,000 (1 million Baht) in contributions. If / when this goal is reached, the RTAF will name this village the World Skydivers Village, and erect a dedication plaque on site. Funds for the first home have already been received, and we’re now working on home number two.

Skydivers will always be welcome guests in “their” village. In fact, the RTAF is planning to invite the skydivers attending the upcoming Thai Sky Festival to make demonstration jumps on the beaches of Narong and Phuket from its Hercs – to bring some unexpected joy to the people in this devastated region. If you know someone in our skydiving family who wants to help build a village, could you please direct them to the mentioned relief fund websites. Thank you."

The NSL News will continue to update the progress of BJ Worth's support project. Information can also be posted and exchanged at a special support page in the NSL Discussion Forum.