As horrific footage of devastation in the Philippines caused by Super typhoon Haiyan (called Yolanda in the Philippines) hit the airwaves over the weekend, Yorkton's large Filipino community was already mobilizing to send help home.
The Parkland Filipino-Canadian Association (PFCA) immediately started collecting cash donations, which will be handled by the local office of the Canadian Red Cross.
Edralyn Lints, a member of the PFCA board of directors said they were very appreciative of an immediate outpouring of support. She said many people offered to supply goods such as food and clothing, but logistics of getting that kind of aid where it needs to go is prohibitive and could take months to ship.
"There's really not much of a great connection to the cities," she said. "There's really no point in doing that."
Several board members are accepting donations, as is the Red Cross, which will provide tax receipts for any contribution of $10 or more.
The PFCA will also have a donation box set up at its Festival of Cultures booth this Sunday, November 17 at Sacred Heart High School and is planning a city-wide recyclables collection.
There will also be a mini concert December 6 at the Yorkton Alliance Church for victims of the Bohol earthquake, which hit the Philippines October 15.
Lints said the super typhoon was a "double whammy" for some local families. Most Filipinos in Canada regularly send money to family back home. The typhoon so close on the heels of the earthquake recovery in some areas of the country has put added pressure on Filipino-Canadians.
People wishing to help the Philippines may contact the Red Cross directly at 782.4355 or any of the following members of the PFCA: Jeff and Marj Bautista, 641.4176; Sherwin and Adina Saracho, 209.7255; Edralyn Lints 521.1406; Melinda Montebon, 571.9114.
Meteorologists have suggested Haiyan may be the strongest storm ever recorded.
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