David Sun, president of Rotary International of Chinese, shares updated information about earthquake happened Aug 3 in Ludian, Yunnan province with local Chinese Americans at Hanhai Z-Park in San Jose, California on Aug 7. The 6.5-magnitude earthquake had caused 615 deaths. Lian Zi / China Daily

Representatives of overseas Chinese organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area gathered at a fund-raising event hosted by the Rotary International of Silicon Valley Chinese to pray and make donations for the victims of last Sunday's earthquake in Ludian, Yunnan.

"We have raised $12,540 in donations tonight," David Sun, president of Rotary International of Silicon Valley Chinese, told China Daily Thursday, adding that people who wanted to donate to the relief effort could also send checks directly to the consulate general of China in San Francisco.

Deputy Consul Bi Gang representing the consulate general of China in San Francisco accepted the collected donations at end of the event.

The 6.5-magnitude earthquake that struck Ludian last Sunday afternoon at a depth of 12 km has left at least 615 people dead and more than 3,143 injured.

"I am saddened by the loss of life, but I am glad that so many Chinese-American politicians and community leaders in the San Francisco Bay Area can come together to donate for our compatriots in China," said Sun.

More than 80 representatives from different local organizations such as the Silicon Valley Chinese association, United for a Better Community, Silicon Valley Women Association and Northern California Chinese Athletic Foundation attended the event, said Zhenzhen Li, one of the organizers of the event.

"Chinese all around the world should work together to help the victims of the Ludian earthquake," Zhenzhen said.

On Wednesday, two other Chinese overseas organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area - the US Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the Committee to Promote the Reunification of China - donated $38,000 for the Yunnan earthquake victims.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those that lost their lives, those injured or displaced, and all the people of China on this difficult day.The United States stands ready to assist," said Bernadette Meehan, a deputy spokeswoman for the US National Security Council.

Ludian has a population of about 429,000. More than 25,000 houses were toppled during the quake, according reports from China Central Television. The temblor also cut off roadways, electricity and telecommunications throughout the county.

Yunnan's neighboring province, Sichuan, experienced a magnitude 7.9 earthquake in 2008 when at least 87,000 people died.

zilian@chinadailyusa.com