West Seattle resident volunteers in post-tsunami Samoa Sunday November 15, 2009
By Steve Shay, West Seattle Herald webmaster@samoanews.com

Sean Wooten, 29, journeyed from West Seattle to the Samoan Islands last month to volunteer after they were hit with a tsunami. [photo: westseattleherald.com]
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The 8.0 magnitude earthquake in the South Pacific that set off the deadly tsunami Sept. 29 brought tragedy to American Samoa and Samoa. Samoa was formerly Western Samoa and is now independent and simply called "Samoa." Sean Wooten, 29, of West Seattle, decided he wanted to help.

On Oct. 11 he flew the 5,000 miles, about twice the distance to Hawaii, and arrived in the American Samoan capital of Pago Pago with a first aid kit, a tool kit, and two suitcases filled with clothes to donate.

Wooten’s generosity was shunned at first, and even the landing was rocky.  “I was pulled out of the customs line and strip-searched,” said Wooten, a 1998 West Seattle High graduate.


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Comments to this story (5)
Anonymous  wrote:
16 Nov 2009 01:23 PM
I am very, very grateful to this young man Mr. Wooten for his generosity which he took time and pay for his own airfare to go to the Samoan Islands and render his help and support for the people. Mr. Wooten, you are not been overlook by any means, we will remember you in our prayers. We just hope and pray that our good lord will watch over you and protect you while you're in samoa. You have earn my utmost respect. In closing, may our heavenly blessed you and guide you on all your future endeavours. Soifua, ma e manuia....
Anonymous  wrote:
16 Nov 2009 12:03 PM
I live in Seattle also and I am not a Samoan and that does not matter at all. Your kindness is extra ordinary. Thank you very much.
samoanteine  wrote:
16 Nov 2009 10:22 AM
We need more people like Mr. Wooten in this world. Thanks for your support to the people of our island. May the good lord bless you and your family forever. Thanks again!
Samoan Soldier  wrote:
16 Nov 2009 07:55 AM
Uso, thanks for your support & generosity to the Samoan People!
Anonymous  wrote:
15 Nov 2009 02:15 PM
On the behalf of all the samoan people that reside in seattle area, we are touch and sincerely grateful for your loving care and support to our people of samoa. May the good lord bless you and your family for many days to come..Thank you...