Yellowknife (Jan 05/05) - Yellowknife's relief efforts for tsunami victims in southeast Asia are well underway, with many of them topped off with a plate of spaghetti.

Staff at Kerrin's Restaurant were so moved by images of devastated communities appearing on their television screens, they organized a $20-a-plate benefit dinner Sunday night to help the thousands impacted by the disaster.

The death toll from the Dec. 26 tsunami is now estimated to have surpassed 150,000. It affected several coastal countries around the Indian Ocean, including Indonesia, Thailand, India and Sri Lanka.

Many Yellowknife companies and banks also took steps to raise disaster relief money.

That includes the territorial government. It has promised a $50,000 assistance package to help victims of last week's deadly tsunami in southeast Asia, Premier Joe Handley announced yesterday.

"Our deepest sympathies go out to all who have lost friends and loved ones in this devastating tragedy," Handley said in a statement.

The money will be donated to the Canadian Red Cross to bring "long-term relief to regions as they build and recover," Handley said.

The flags at all territorial buildings will be flown at half-mast on Jan. 8.

Restaurant owner Kerrin Patterson said the business - normally closed Sunday nights - was kept hopping with patrons anxious to contribute.

She said many people who were unable to get a seat in the small dining room simply put $20 in the collection jar without eating. Others threw in much more than the requested minimum. Musicians, including Yellowknife's Tracey Riley, entertained patrons most of the night, leading some to get up and dance.

The dinner managed to raise $2,686.44 for the Red Cross, although Patterson isn't sure exactly how many people dropped by.

"People would have a meal and two beer, and gave us $100, so it's hard to know exactly how many meals we made," said Patterson.

"It was well over 80."

The effort required cooking 40 lb. of spaghetti noodles, plus 40 litres of meat sauce the day before. Groceries for the event were supplied free of charge by Northern Food Services.

"It was a lot of work, but in the end we raised close to $3,000," said Patterson.

"That's pretty good for a little restaurant."

Kerrin's wasn't the only business in town looking to help out.

TD Bank manager Mike Adamchick said his bank has already pledged $150,000 nationally to the Red Cross, plus another $100,000 to UNICEF.

He doesn't yet know how much TD customers have contributed through his branch, but said he expects many will.

"They just have to ask to make a donation to the Canadian Red Cross Tsunami Relief Effort," said Adamchick.

Tim Hortons and Wal-Mart are also taking donations. Tim Hortons customers chipped in, tossing loose change into plastic buckets, bringing $1,373.03 to the relief fund. Staff also threw in their tips for one day.

Yellowknife's Wal-Mart customers pledged $1,600 as of Jan. 3.

Andrew Pelletier, director of corporate affairs for Wal-Mart Canada, said the usual lull expected after the Christmas rush quickly turned to a flurry of activity once the terrible scope of the tragedy in southeast Asia became apparent.

"I thought it was going to be a quiet week," said Pelletier.

"We all turned on the TV and saw what was happening. Things changed pretty quickly."

He said Wal-Mart has vowed to match what is contributed by customers through the retail chain.

As of Jan. 4, the corporate round-up showed it was nearing the $150,000 mark from its 239 Canadian stores.

"Disaster relief knows no boundaries," said Roland Boudreau, Wal-Mart Canada's senior vice-president.

-- with files from Chris Woodall, Andrew RavenMike W. Bryant/NNSL photo

Kerrin's Restaurant staff member Felix Modesto, owner Kerrin Patterson and Tawanis Testart took part in a spaghetti dinner Sunday to raise money for tsunami victims in southeast Asia.