Received this in an e-mail from the Phoenix City Manager's office today

"Mayor Gordon and Vice Mayor Bilsten today launched a unique program to assist with the relief efforts after the devastating tsunami. Working with the Phoenix-based nonprofit organization Food for the Hungry, they urged Phoenicians to join them in "adopting" a small village called Meulaboh (pronounced May-u-la-bo).

Meulaboh, located in Sumatra, is only 93 miles from the epicenter of the earthquake and was one of the areas hardest hit. About 40,000 of the 120,000 residents were killed, and reports are that buildings were completely destroyed and fishing boats were washed inland more than a mile.

Vice Mayor Bilsten and experts from Food for the Hungry will travel to Meulaboh next week to get a first-hand look at the area. If you would like to join the Mayor's and Vice Mayor's effort, you can visit www.fh.org, mail a check to Food for the Hungry at 1224 E. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85034..."