YONGSAN GARRISON, South Korea — The president of the Korean American Friendship Association made a personal $10,000 donation to the American Red Cross on Thursday to assist victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, according to a U.S. Forces Korea news release.

“This is just a small token of my appreciation … to the American people to let them know that we understand what they are going through and we want to help,” said Wang Sang-eun. Wang also is the chairman of Hyop Shipping Company.

Wang’s donation comes just weeks after the friendship association donated $10,000 for hurricane relief efforts, according to the release.

KAFA — the largest Korean friendship organization — exists to “strengthen bonds of friendship and to show appreciation to U.S. forces personnel for the contribution to peace and freedom in the Republic of Korea,” according to the release.

Ahava Martin, manager of the American Red Cross in South Korea, accepted the donation and thanked Wang.

She said the Red Cross has been busy and that “more than 3 million people are in overnight shelters. The Red Cross has served more than 15 million meals. This money will go directly to the victims of Hurricane Katrina and Rita.”

Martin said anyone wishing to donate can do so via www.redcross.org or an on-base office. The Red Cross operates offices at Yongsan Garrison, Osan and Kunsan air bases and at camps Humphreys, Casey, Stanley, Red Cloud and Carroll.

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