It seems as though everybody is contributing in one way or another to the South Asian tsunami relief effort. Area charities, schools, religious houses and hospitals are collecting bushels of money, supplies and other needed goods to send to the region.St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center in Paterson is taking an extra step, by having its donated supplies hand-delivered to Sri Lanka.

Mala Kadar, a registered nurse, traveled with a convoy of 19 other medical personnel on Jan. 6 to deliver supplies and aid to the region.

Kadar is a native of Sri Lanka, as are the other members of the convoy, who live all over the United States and as far away as England, said Janet Lehman, a board member of St. Joseph's and a nun at St. Elizabeth's Sisters of Charity. The team will stay in the region for a month and provide medical assistance, she said.

"She's very, very socially conscious," said Lehman of Kadar. "Very concerned about the people of Sri Lanka, health conditions and children."

Kadar, who works as a registered nurse at Catholic Community Services in Newark, sought out the opportunity to travel to Sri Lanka through the International Medical Health Organization. Once confirmed for the trip, she contacted Lehman for help acquiring medical supplies.

It was perfect timing, said Lehman.

"The board (at St. Joseph's) was in the process of trying to gather some things together, trying to figure out how to send them. They thought this was a win-win situation."

Kadar took about $1,000 worth of donated medical supplies with her to Sri Lanka, including bandages, painkillers, masks and surgical instruments.

"St. Joseph's just opened up its doors," said Lehman.