Visiting a Buddhist Temple in Hillside, Queens, the Clintons met with about 30 volunteers coordinating relief efforts for tsunami victims in Sri Lanka.

"The former president told the assemblage there are millions of Americans who want to contribute to the effort, and vowed he and his wife would be among the donors," reported Newsday.

"I believe the government and the people of our country will be working together through government programs and private donations to do everything we can," Mrs. Clinton explained.

Later in the day, however, a spokesman for the Clintons declined to discuss dollar amounts when queried by CNN, describing their contribution as "private."

Since leaving the White House, the former first couple has raked in nearly $30 million in book advances, royalties, speaking fees and other income, not including the more than $150 million that Mr. Clinton raised for his presidential library.

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