Local Businessman Organizes Support

For Victims Of Japanese Disaster

By Nancy K. Crevier

Peter D’Amico, Sr, Newtown businessman, philanthropist, and founder of the Newtown Youth Academy, admits that when he writes out a check in June to match ten percent of the donations to rescuedirect.org, benefiting the cities of Hachinohe and Onahama, Japan, he hopes that financially it will hurt. “Then we know that it is working.”

Mr D’Amico organized “it” — rescuedirect.org — on April 11, as a result of personal relationships in Japan he has developed through his company’s (SCB International Materials, Inc) overseas work. “We have been doing business with companies in both Hachinohe and Onahama,” said Mr D’Amico. SCB International buys raw materials that are purchased by other companies to make cement.

Two of the plants with which SCB International has connections in those cities have been shut down, due to damage from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that badly damaged or leveled cities in 18 prefectures in Japan. “They won’t be able to restart until at least July,” said Mr D’Amico. The ports in Hachinohe and Onahama sustained damaged, as did the physical plants. The disaster also left many of 200,000 residents in each of those cities, many of whom are employed at the plants, homeless.

It is the residents that will benefit from rescuedirect.org, said Mr D’Amico, and it is because of the plight of the Japanese people that he has decided to expand on his local community service.

What makes rescuedirect.org stand out from other charitable groups, is that 100 percent of the donations will go directly to the victims in those particular cities. Mr D’Amico is fully funding the administrative process, and in addition, will match ten percent of all money raised through rescuedirect.org. He is committed to ensuring that 110 percent goes right into the hands of victims in those two cities. “They’re our friends, and they need our help,” Mr D’Amico wrote in an e-mail issued April 14. “They come from a respectful, hardworking culture. They’re a proud people and part of our global community. It’s important for them to know that people in the United States care.

“I am working with officials of the towns to facilitate with the local welfare departments, so that the funds are distributed in the best way, to benefit the residents of Hachinohe and Onahama,” said Mr D’Amico. “My goal is to reach $250,000 by the middle of June. If we get more, that’s great,” he said, and added that it will take far more than that amount for the cities to recover.

Mr D’Amico sees this as an opportunity for the local community to come together to help those affected by the disaster in Japan. “Plus, I am reaching out to people I do business with, nationally and internationally,” Mr D’Amico said.

He reiterated on Monday, April 18, his concern that residents of Hachinohe and Onahama understand that others around the world are supporting them. “I want to give the people in those cities the feeling that other people care, and that they are not alone in this disaster,” Mr D’Amico said. “That’s what I’m trying to establish.”

He is eager to spread the word about the fundraiser now, to collect the donations, and get the money distributed to those in need. “In June, if we get a good response, then I’ll reassess where we are going with the foundation,” he said.

To learn more or to donate, visit rescuedirect.org.