Ref: GROO160601, Columbus, Ohio USA

Memorial week end, May 27 2001. Amid intermittent rain, peace loving Ghanaians living in Columbus Ohio, the Heart of America, cheered dynamic Ol’Timers to hold Nu’Komers, the favored team, to a 1-1 draw at Innis Park, Columbus. This soccer match was the second fund raising event initiated by Ghana Relief Organization of Ohio “GROO” in sympathy with the Accra Sports Stadium disaster. The first event was a Love Offering patronized by four Ghanaian affiliated churches, African Christian Church, Ebenezer United Methodist Church, Ghana Columbus SDA Church and Power of Faith. As at this press release, a net total of $2800.00 has been realized from both events.

Formed Saturday May 12 2001 as a non-profit organization, GROO anticipates it will reach a target of $3000.00 through redeeming pledges and further expected contributions from the Ghanaian community and friends in Columbus. GROO will forward a lump sum donation to the Stadium Disaster Fund in care of Mr. Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, Minister of Presidential Affairs in Ghana. GROO’s preferred allocations to beneficiaries are as follows:

Injured Victims: 50%
Bereaved Families: 20%
Critical/Emergency Units (which responded to the disaster) 30%

On behalf of each and every potential beneficiary in Ghana, GROO will like to thank the entire Columbus community for supporting the fundraising event in diverse ways. Our special thanks go to, the NPP Columbus Chapter, Love and Unity Association, Ol’Timers and Nu’Komers, Referee Mr. John Robinson and daughter Rachel, the only female player and an easily observable budding star, Francis Sawyer, who lead us to sing Yen Ara Asase ni, Kofi Bempong of Universal Shipping, Kent Yeboah of Africa Market, Auntie Becky’s Bake Sale, Krobea Automotives and finally all the church congregations and individuals who generously gave tax-deductible donations.

Further, GROO wishes to extend participation to all who cherish the spirit of giving for a worthy cause. “It is our hope, we can and must in the near future identify and adopt a national need area, for example, a children's hospital ward in Ghana, and continue in diverse ways to spread ripples of hope to our motherland Ghana.”

Acheampong Boamah, GROO Coordinator
3035 Hollybank Road,
Reynoldsburg Ohio 43068 Contact email: groo512@hotmail.com

Cc: Francis Cobbina, GROO,
Richard Owusu, GROO,
John Akrobbetoe, GROO
Yaw Obeng, NPP Columbus Chapter
Alfred Anaquah, CPA.
.