From left to right: Betty's husband, Betty, Pastor Jeong's wife, and Pastor Jeong.
Last month, Reverend Jin O Jeong of the Korean Congregation at Zion Lutheran Church in Belleville, IL, and Betty, the owner of Bamboo Valley Buffet, agreed to start a fundraiser directed at supporting those affected by the tragedy of the S. Korean ferry. Bamboo Valley will donate 10% Zion and friends' bill to the Korean Congregation.
Betty, who is a Chinese immigrant, and the owner of Bamboo Valley Buffet Chinese restaurant in Belleville, IL, agreed to cooperate in a fund-raising campaign with the Korean Congregation at Zion Lutheran to help support the Korean community, because, she stated, "As a mother who has three children, I feel as if [the same kind of tragedy] could happen to me."
Reverend Jeong stated, "The death of these Korean students saddens all Asians, as well as Koreans living in America. Even though efforts have not been successful in saving many of the students, we pray that the risen Christ may pour comfort on the distress of the anxious family, parents, and friends."
The Sewol ferry sank on April 16, taking the lives of almost 200 individuals, and most notable of the victims included high school students from Danwon High School, who were on the ferry for a school trip. Many bodies have not been found to date, and efforts are still being made to search for them today, months after the incident.
Rachael Lee contributed to this article.
