The Butler Rotary's goal to raise $100,000 for survivors of the Dec. 26, 2004, Indian Ocean tsunami that killed thousands of people throughout that region has been met.

Dale Pinkerton, long-time Butler businessman and Rotary member, and others helped to organize the effort that ultimately collected $100,500 with Harry and Robert Hunter, owners of Hunter's Truck Sales, putting the drive over the top on May 20.

Dr. Gordon Fletcher, also a Rotary member with connections in Sri Lanka, told his fellow Rotarians of a Christian school that was severally damaged by the giant waves that washed ashore.

The Butler group's original plan was to use the money it raised to repair the school. However, on a subsequent visit, Fletcher found that school had already been repaired and it hadn't been as badly damaged as he had been told.

So with the help of Rotarians in Sri Lanka, Fletcher found another school that did need Butler's financial help.

"We have sent $20,000 to the school (similar to a vo-tech school here)," Fletcher said Thursday.

The rest of the money donated by Butler County residents in the past few months is earmarked for the construction of 25 houses that are being built for families that lost their homes and family members in the disaster.

Fletcher explained the Sri Lanka government had deeded 70 acres to this relief effort and Butler's money is going to help build two-bedroom houses that have about 500 square feet.

"Originally we were going to adopt some families," Fletcher said, but that proved to be too difficult and could have caused hard feelings in that country.

Instead, he said, those who are in charge of picking families to live in the freestanding houses have agreed to offer the Butler Rotary houses first to widows and their remaining families.

"We have sent $20,000 for the construction of the houses with another $15,000 set aside for updates or repairs to the houses," Fletcher said.

He added a group of Butler Rotary members, including Pinkerton, are planning a trip to Sri Lanka in the fall to check on the status of the homes.