Petaluma gives relief aid to Nepal

As monsoon season sets into Nepal, hundreds of thousands of displaced men, women and children cram into hastily-erected emergency tents. With rebuilding in Kathmandu, the city’s capital, still in process since the April 25 earthquake that killed nearly 9,000 throughout the country, neighboring villages haven’t received sufficient emergency relief.

Three organizations from Petaluma hope to raise money to send directly to the outlying villages before the torrential rain destroys what little shelter is left.

On Friday, June 26, Yoga One will donate their space on 110 Kentucky St. to their partner, Global Groove, to host what studio manager Megan Martez said is a “wine and yoga” fundraising event.

“We’ll have a short meditation session, followed by a bit of Kundalini Yoga and music from Nepal. We’ll have some Nepalese snacks and wine,” she said.

A $30 door fee will be collected at 8 p.m., when the event starts. All proceeds and donations made during the session will go to the Nepal Knitting House, a Kathmandu business that makes sweaters, gloves, hats and ponchos out of locally-sourced fabrics.

Donna Tulley, a geriatrics expert at the Petaluma Health Center, went to Nepal three times and fell in love with the country.

“The first time, I went in 2001. We had an education mission. We met Nirma Rai, one of four women who, as a group, became the first women to summit Mt. Annapurna IV at nearly 25,000 feet,” she said. “When the earthquake hit, Nirma went from the east side of Nepal to the west side, and stayed with the Independent Medical Review as a translator. When I went back in May this year to help with the earthquake relief effort, I saw her again. She embodies the completely kind-hearted and selfless spirit the Nepalese people are known for, and that’s why I came back.”

Tulley is organizing a food fundraiser with the Nepalese owner of Shree Indian Cuisine at 220 Western Ave. on July 19, with all proceeds going directly to Nirma Rai, who will use the funds to rebuild a school and her family’s house in Solukhumbu. A time and door fee has not been finalized, and Tully will post fliers around town when the plans are set.

“We’re hoping we can raise around $10,000 for this fundraiser,” she said. “We’ve contacted Rotary to see if they can contribute, and we hope the people of Petaluma can continue to give generously as they’ve done throughout the earthquake relief effort.”

Bringing an alternative entertainment form to his fundraiser, Petaluma resident Paul Alexander and his Serendipity trio plan to put on a show for guests who join their event at Gaia’s Garden in Santa Rosa in mid-July.

“There is a continuing need for relief in Nepal,” he said. “We’re planning on donating all proceeds to direct relief agencies in Nepal, who have personnel on-site to purchase things and guarantee delivery to the outlying areas of Kathmandu. It’s the best way to deliver aid without going through the corruption in the Nepalese government.”

Gaia’s Garden, at 1899 Mendocino Ave., will charge $35 at the door for the event. The date is so far unknown, but is scheduled for sometime in late July.

“Of that door fee, $15 goes to an international plant-based buffet. The rest all goes to the relief fund,” Alexander said.

Alexander’s group, the Serendipity Trio, features Alexander and rabbi Mordecai Miller on B flat clarinets and Beverly McChesney on bassoon. Local guitarist Gordon Rowland will also play during the event. The trio and guitarist’s music will feature classical, flamenco guitar and jazz.

Gaia’s garden will update their fundraiser date on their website.

(Contact William Rohrs at william.rohrs@arguscouri er.com.)