| Saudis streamed into a stadium to load bundles of clothes into trucks and stuff glass boxes with cash Thursday as the government launched a public campaign to help southeast Asian tsunami victims. The stadium was the heart of a live national telethon that raised $67.4 million in 11 hours, of which King Fahd donated $5.3 million and Crown Prince Abdullah donated $1.3 million, according to Saudi television. During the broadcast, which was to last 12 hours, state TV alternated scenes of Saudis coming to the stadium to make their donations in person and images from the destruction and suffering in the stricken areas. A number was flashed across the screen for pledges by telephone. Diamond and gold jewelry, as well as clothes, tents, blankets and even a schoolboy's daily $1.30 allowance, were among the donations. Individual contributions ranged from $1 to $133,000. |