$10,000 Raised At Typhoon Haiyan Fundraiser

November 11, 2013

[Updated with video] The Association of Filipinos in Bermuda were hoping to get 100 people at their fundraiser today [Nov 11], however as of this writing have already had 200 people through the door, with more still filing in.

The attendance exceeded their expectations causing some food selections to run low, however supporters sprang to action, delivering more food as the event continues.

Filipino fundraiser

The fundraising lunch is being held at St. Theresa’s Church Hall, with some people staying to enjoy their meal, while others grabbed take-out.

“I thank them for their help and their presence,” said the President of the Association, while the Vice President also extended her thanks to the Bermuda community for their support.

The Filipino community has been joined by a cross section of Bermudians and locals who came out to support the event, including Governor George Fergusson, Home Affairs Minister Michael Fahy and the Premier’s Press Secretary Charmaine Burgess.

Members of the Filipino community with the Governor, Minister and Press Secretary:

Photo1fil

A slide presentation is being shown at the event, giving attendees a chance to see some of the destruction caused by the storm.

Super Typhoon Haiyan — reported to be one of the most powerful storms to ever make landfall — struck the Philippines on Friday, leaving a path of devastation and an estimated 10,000 people dead.

Haiyan had sustained winds reached 195 miles per hour [313 kph] with gusts of up to 235 mph [378 kph], and destroyed 70% – 80% of what was in its path.

_MG_0899 (1)

With the storm having damaged so much of the nation’s infrastructure, many of the island’s Filipino community remain anxious, with the storm having damaged communication lines leaving many unable to make contact with their family.

Both the Government and Opposition have extended their best wishes to the island’s Filipino community, with the PLP saying they join “with our families, neighbours and coworkers in support of and in sympathy with the Phillipines,” while Home Affairs Minister Michael Fahy said, “We wish to express our support, as we can empathise with the anxiety our Filipino friends must be experiencing in the wake of this storm.”

Update 3.38pm: Anyone who would like to donate directly to the the Association of Filipinos in Bermuda [registered charity, #529], can send their donations to: Association of Filipinos in Bermuda, Bank of NT Butterfield, Current Account no. 2000 6060 258 204 100.

In addition, the Bermuda Red Cross has launched a cash appeal to help assist the victims of Typhoon Haiyan, and donations can be made to HSBC Bank of Bermuda 010-187417-012, or Bank of Butterfield 20-006-060-663859-200.

You can also ‘snail mail’ cheques to the Bermuda Red Cross, Typhoon Haiyan Appeal, Charleswood, 9 Berry Hill Road, Paget DV 03.

Update 11.50pm: The Association has confirmed that the event raised over $10,000.

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Comments (19)

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  1. Voter says:

    How can we donate?

    • Bernews says:

      Check back in a few, we just got the info from the Bermuda Red Cross, and will be posting that shortly….sorry for delay!

    • Tough Love says:

      I would give the money to the Association of Filipinos instead of the Red Cross. The Red Cross is notorious for not sending donations to the disaster specified, but share it through their charity as they see fit.

    • ANCOP says:

      If you haven’t donated, please consider donating to ANswering the Cry of the Poor! a registered charitable organization in bermuda, and currently responding the cries of the affected areas in central Philippines by horrific Haitian! Please visit our website http://www.ancopbermuda.com or make a donation to ANCOP’s account with HSBC account no: 010758373001 and indicate Haiyan relief assistance or e-mail us at ancopbermuda@logic.com. Thank you all for your prayers, support and kind assistance?

  2. George Fergusson says:

    Bank of NT Butterfield, Current Acct #20006060258204100

    • Can we help more? says:

      Any chance of a tag day (minus the tags) being able to be authorized
      quickly so that people on the streets can donate this week?

      We need to be able to show our support to our guest workers
      when their country is in such need,

  3. helping hand says:

    wish I had known of this sooner.. would have gotten a plate myself

  4. Sick of Excuses says:

    I have been closely following all of the press reports, and my heart really goes out to the victims. All the Bermudians (I’m guilty myself) that want to moan and complain about how bad things are really need to pay attention.

    I’m far from rich, but thanks be to the Lord I have a roof over my head, food to eat and a warm bed to sleep in tonight. When you see stuff like this, in the grand scheme of things my complaints are so trivial.

  5. Summer Breeze says:

    BERNEWS I also believe a lady requested ( on this evening’s news ) for clothes, blankets, sheets etc, and she stated a phone number for donating the items to be sent via container – may you please find out if I heard correctly and how we may contribute to help this way as well?

    • Association of Filipinos in Bermuda says:

      Hi Summer Breeze,
      At the moment, the greatest need in the Philippines is financial assistance to buy food and water for the victims. Sending a container to the Philippines will cost $6,000 and it will take 2 – 3 months to reach them, so that is something that can be done on a long-term basis. We will send out a press release regarding how to donate to the Philippines, so please watch out for it.

      thanks!

      • Truth (Original) says:

        I wish I had known about the fundraiser sooner. I would love to donate. I’ll check this space for future fundraising events. My prayers are with you all.

  6. Nick Kempe says:

    For those of you that wanted to make it but could not, I believe that there will be a second fundraiser event in early December. I am sure someone from the AFB can provide more details.

  7. In light of all these events, I have no idea that this was going on and to think that I have been here for a long time in Bermuda. I just happened to see this article from another article. Nobody has even the decency to inform me or call me nor email me nor talk to me about this not that I could give thousands of dollars to this function.
    And that’s probably why. When they can’ use you anymore you become extinct and completely forgotten. We got so absorbed with the so called publicity and recognition and yet there are people here locally that are also suffering and having a lot of challenges in life and needing help and yet these people are turning their cheeks on the other side.
    Locals or not, we have to set our priorities straight. Take care of home first before anybody else.
    I felt for the Filipino people and I cried every time I see those dead people on the road lined up. It reminded me of Auschwitz Concentration Camps. How I wished I am there right now to help out what ever it is that I can do. I just keep on praying for them and just keep on the faith
    I don’t think that there would be any challenge in collecting donations or contributions from Bermuda. I found Bermudians to be very kind, giving and generous. They are always ready to give a helping hand to anybody and everybody.
    The issue would be the management of the help that is being extended to those Filipino people. Why? Because around this time, there are instances where there are lootings going on and the money that would be sent over there would not have any guarantee of receiving by the real recipients themselves.
    Somebody has to monitor and manage the distribution of this contributions. I’m not insinuating anything or assuming any negative actions but it is wise to delegate these donations to the proper channels.
    Nevertheless, thank you for all of you that showed compassion and empathy and really are concern about them. I also want to deeply extend my warm gratitude to all that help in so many and different ways to make this event possible and to those that have contributed in different and unique ways.
    God bless to all of you and appreciate all your prayers, thoughts, caring and concern. The Good Lord would reward you according to your own pure intentions.

    • media says:

      If you have access to Facebook you can see on the Association of Filipinos in Bermuda page that all funds raised are accounted for. There is a list of donors and how the funds have been allocated in full detail.

      The event was originally planned as an earthquake fundraiser and it suddenly became a Typhoon fundraiser too. There is another fundraiser being planned, likely next weekend as a Thankgiving Dinner. Everyone is welcome including you. Information will be given in the media and on the Facebook page next week with more details. You can email filasber@yahoo.com to make contact with the Association.

    • ANCOP says:

      You have not seen our appeal in media (newspaper or ber news) but we ANswering the Cry of the Poor (ANCOP) a registered charity organization is also accepting donations? For more info , please visit our website: http://www.ancopbermuda.com. For all the monetary donations we received from the Bermuda community will be posted in our websites including a report from ANCOP Philippines. E-mail us at ancopbermuda@logic.bm