(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-06-01 19:39

"In the last few weeks, so many people and organizations in our community and all throughout New York have been offering their sympathy and their support," Liu said. "This is really a tremendous display of human compassion and caring for fellow human beings."

Peng Keyu, the Chinese consul-general in New York, praised Chinese compatriots for their "love relay," which has once again demonstrated the Chinese nation's philanthropy, perseverance and cohesion.

Zhang Jian, president of Columbia University Chinese Students and Scholars Association, said compassion toward the quake victims has been outpouring like tidal waves and that such compassion should be sustained to keep overseas Chinese united in assisting the motherland's prosperity.

Some of the donations collected at the event will be dedicated to schools in the areas devastated by the 8.0-magnitude quake, which, according to the Chinese government's latest tally, left 69,016 dead, 368,545 injured and 18,830 missing. Domestic and foreign donations had reached 40.1 billion yuan (5.81 billion dollars), and 10.79 billion yuan had been forwarded to the earthquake-affected areas.

Many at the fundraiser gave their thoughts and prayers to children in the quake-stricken areas in China, which marks Children's Day one day later.

"I want you to know that hundreds of thousands of brothers, sisters, uncles and aunts overseas are thinking of you day in and day out," said Steven Wong, executive chairman of the Unified Organization of Overseas Chinese Associations of New York.

A song, "Dear Child," was dedicated to young victims in the quake.

"My dear child, wipe off your tears. I will accompany you, accompany you on your way home," the song went.

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