Tampa-based Wat Mongkolratanaram, the Buddhist Temple of Florida, will donate the money to the Thai Army Relief Center in Thailand. That money will help Thailand residents rebuild their homes, temple spokeswoman Chatana Turchany said.

The temple had expected to raise $5,000 to $8,000 in donations from the event.

``We are surprised and we are glad that we raised so much money,'' Turchany said. ``We're not that big of an organization, but a lot of Americans came to the donation site and said, `We want to donate right here because we want that money to go to Thailand.' ''

About 300 people turned out to the temple's New Year's celebration, about 100 more than usual.

The outpouring of help ``shows me that a lot of people, they have that generosity and they have that heart,'' Turchany said.

Buddhists attend temple services Jan. 1 to give offerings in hope of a good new year, Turchany said. At this year's event, participants also prayed for victims of the Dec. 26 tsunami.

The 500-member temple on Palm River Road also has organized a fundraising drive with seven Thai restaurants in the Tampa Bay area. Those donations also will go to tsunami victims in Thailand.

Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at (813) 835-2105.