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Filipino community raising funds for typhoon victims

Posted on November 20, 2013 by Taber Times

Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) recently hit the Philippines, leaving a path of devastation, as homes and lives were destroyed and tragedy struck many Filipinos caught in its wrath.

“It is one of the most powerful typhoons in history. The destruction is on a massive scale. Death tolls are getting higher and I believe some islands are gone. Even though there has been tons of help already from other countries and Filipinos around the globe, we will continue to appeal for help, especially those cities or islands that are being neglected for relief goods,” said Levy Tkaczyk, co-owner of the Rex Coffee Shop in Taber and organizer of a donation drive for the victims of the powerful typhoon.

“Hundreds of residents lost their homes,” she added. Tkaczyk and fellow members of the Filipino community, as well as other caring and generous Taberites, banded together to host a Filipino Flavours fundraising event last Friday at the Rex Coffeeshop. The event featured an assortment of Filipino cuisine and all proceeds were donated to victims of the typhoon. “I took advantage of the Midnight Madness event, hoping to get some cash donations for the victims of the typhoon in the Philippines,” said Tkaczyk.

A donation drive and drop-off centre is underway at the Rex Coffee Shop, located in downtown Taber at 5313 48 Avenue. In-kind donations such as blankets, clothes, towels, canned food, toiletries, light jackets, socks, etc. are being accepted until Saturday. Perishable items and fresh foods are not being accepted. Cash donations will be forwarded to the Philippines Red Cross and will be accepted until Nov. 30.

“We are definitely doing this for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda. There are some places that haven’t been receiving relief,” said Tkaczyk, adding friends and family back home need help, especially cash donations. According to the fundraiser, it takes close to a month to send clothes and other items to the Philippines but cash can be transferred quite quickly. Taber has a Filipino community that is 300 plus strong.

The Wildrose Caucus Foundation recently announced it will donate $5,000 in disaster relief for Typhoon Haiyan and urged the Alberta government to provide financial assistance.

The Chalice international aid organization is also collecting funds to assist with humanitarian efforts. Chalice’s focus is on the recovery and reconstruction of the affected communities. Although Chalice’s sponsored children are safe from harm, the disaster affects the Philippines as a whole and Chalice will continue to work with trusted partners to deliver assistance where needed. The Canadian government is matching donations by individual Canadians for the Typhoon Haiyan Relief Fund. All donations given to Chalice in support of the Philippines Disaster Relief Fund until Dec. 9 will be submitted for matching by the government.

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