NAFCON Aims to Raise $7,000 for Typhoon Sendong Relief before New Year
PRESS RELEASE
29 December 2011
Contact: Jun Cruz NAFCON Public Info Officer
Email: info@nafconusa.org
Phone: 650-580-7382
For almost two weeks Filipinos in the U.S. have held various activities throughout the country to provide much needed relief for the victims of Typhoon Sendong (Washi) in the Southern parts of the Philippines. The calamity which struck the islands on December 17th has killed 1,453 people to date and left hundreds of thousands homeless and displaced.
NAFCON with its twenty nine member organizations throughout the country has raised nearly $4,000 and aims to reach a goal of $7,000 before the year ends through its Bayanihan Relief Effort.
Donations can be made via paypal at http://tinyurl.com/bayanihanreliefeffort, mailed in, or at upcoming events in several cities throughout the U.S. (Information for events and mailing locations can be found below.)
All funds raised will be remitted to BALSA Mindanao (Bulig alang sa Mindanao/Help Mindanao) who are coordinating ongoing relief efforts in the hardest hit areas.
In addition to raising relief funds, NAFCON aims to educate the community regarding the reasons behind the massive death toll and destruction.
Father Ben Alforque, former NAFCON President who was in the Philippines during the time of the tragedy says, “It was not the hand of God that caused the destruction. Government officials along with logging and mining companies were warned of the dangers from their terrible environmental destruction in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. But they did not listen. Corporate greed and government corruption ruled the day at the expense of the people, especially the poor.”
Terry Valen, current NAFCON President also commented, “There is a prevailing theme of sacrificing people for profit in our government that we need to change. We must hold President Aquino, the politicians, and the corporations accountable for their part in the man-made destruction and we should start by demanding a moratorium on all destructive mining and logging in the Philippines regardless if they are legal or illegal.”
Upcoming Events:
Northwest:
Thursday, December 29, 2011 6:00pm -9:00pm
Bayanihan Vigil for the Victims and Survivors of Sendong
Filipino Community Center of Seattle: 5740 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way Seattle, WA 98118
Midwest:
Friday, December 30, 2011, 3:00pm – 8:00pm
Pizza for a Cause
Nancy’s Pizza and Ristorante: 8706 Golf Road, Niles, Illinois, 60714
Nor Cal:
Sunday, December 31, 2011 9:00pm – 2:00am
New Years Eve Fundraiser for Victims of Typhoon Sendong
Organized by Supervisor John Avalos, NAFCON, the Chair of Gabriela, and other community leaders
For more information contact: terrencevalen@yahoo.com or text at 415-203-0696
Mailing locations:
Cash or checks go to locations listed below. On memo please write: NAFCON Bayanihan Relief
Northeast:
Checks Payable to “Philippine Forum”
Mail to 40-21 69th St. Woodside, NY
Regional Coordinator: Michelle Saulon, ne@nafconusa.org, (347) 867 – 1550
Midwest:
Checks Payable to “Good Shepherd Congregation”
Mail to 4707 W. Pratt Ave Lincolnwood, Il 60712
Regional Coordinator: Nerissa Allegretti, mw@nafconusa.org, (224)-381-6888
Nor Cal:
Checks Payable to “FOCUS-Filipino Community Support”
Mail to 4681 Mission St. San Francisco, Ca 94112
Regional Coordinator: Angelica Cabande nc@nafconusa.org, (415) 946 – 9904
So Cal:
Checks Payable to “Tulong Sa Bayan (TSB)”
Mail to: 519 S. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90013
Regional Coordinator: Alex Montances, sc@nafconusa.org, (253) 381 – 7444
Northwest:
Checks Payable to “Pinay Sa Seattle”
Mail to 5740 Martin Luther King Junior Way Seattle, WA 98118
Regional Coordinator: Freedom Siyam, nw@nafconusa.org, (206) 659 – 1130
For more information on fundraising and relief activities in your area please contact NAFCON regional coordinators nearest you.
