SYRACUSE (May 14, 2015) — The MOST is partnering with American Red Cross of Western and Central New York to raise money for the Red Cross’ Disaster Relief Fund that’s aiding the victims of Nepal’s two deadly earthquakes.
On April 25, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Nepal, killing more than 8,000 people and injuring more than 18,000. The quake triggered a landslide on Mount Everest, killing 19 people, and destroyed several buildings in UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu.
Just as things were starting to return to normal, an earthquake of magnitude 7.3 struck further east Tuesday (May 12) on the same fault line near the base of Mount Everest. Terrified people fled outside and some buildings weakened by the earlier quake collapsed. A hundred more people are reported killed, and more than 2,000 injured.
The MOST is altering its usual Saturday night movie schedule on May 23 to host a fundraiser in the Bristol IMAX Omnitheater to support disaster relief. The 7 p.m. event will feature a Red Cross presentation followed by a showing of the IMAX movie “Everest.” Tickets for the event are $25 and money raised, less expenses, will benefit the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
Official Trailer for the 1998 IMAX release of Everest.
These proceeds will help people affected by disasters like the Nepal earthquakes and countless other crises, and will help enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Funds being designated to the Nepal Red Cross from the American Red Cross are being transferred through its Disaster Relief Fund. To date, $5 million has been disbursed.
“We are pleased to be joining forces with the Red Cross to help the victims of the Nepal earthquakes,” said MOST Executive Vice President Anthony Ortega. “The already cash-strapped country is devastated, and the people there need our help.”
The movie “Everest” follows an international team of climbers as they attempt to ascend Mount Everest in spring 1996. The film depicts the challenges the group faced, including avalanches, lack of oxygen, ice walls, and a deadly blizzard. During the movie, scientist Roger Bilham placed a seismograph at the mountain’s Camp Four, at 26,000 feet, to measure earthquake tremors.
MacGillivray Freeman Films, which made “Everest,” has generously waived license fees for special showings of the movie to help the MOST raise funds for Nepal.
The MOST is canceling its 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. movies to hold the 7 p.m. fundraiser. The Omnitheater holds 212 people, so seating is limited. Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis and can be purchase at the MOST, 500 S. Franklin St., Syracuse, or by phone at (315) 425-9068 x2132 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays.
