I cant imagine what the people who survived the Typhoon in Phillipines are going through, and I have been thinking of ways I can help.  Local lady Ella Castillo has put out this public plea for help, please support this event (this weekend) if you can:

“As you are aware, the typhoon that hit the Philippines last week (International Name: Haiyan, Local Name: Yolanda) was identified as one of the most destructive natural disasters in history. For a country that averages about 20 typhoons per year, that is indeed something. The residents of the hardest-hit areas (Samar and Leyte) are already among the poorest in the country. Despite massive efforts to prepare before Typhoon Haiyan hit, there were simply not enough resources to protect everyone. The devastation that we have witnessed from news footages, photos, and accounts simply can not compare with the horror that the residents of Samar and Leyte (and other areas) are continuing to go through.

Members of Brisbane Filipino community, with support from the Philippine Consulate Brisbane, the Philippine Red Cross, and the Brisbane City Council, are spearheading a benefit event to raise funds and collect donations to assist the people affected by Typhoon Haiyan. Event details are as follows:

Date/Time: Sunday, 24 November 2013 (11:00 A.M to 5:00 PM)

Venue: Mt. Coot-tha Botanic Gardens Auditorium, Mt. Coot-tha Rd, Toowong

Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/366180003527351/

There are a number of local artists (Filipinos and non-Filipinos alike) who have offered their support and have offered to perform at this concert. The proceeds of this event will go straight to the Philippine Red Cross, who will in turn disseminate all donations to those who are in need.

There will be boxes around the concert area, wherein donations of clothing, medicine, footwear, water, medicines, food, linen, or anything that may assist with the survival of the victims. In addition, there will be volunteers within the concert who will be manning donation boxes for cash donations. Any amount will go a long way.

Businesses and individuals are invited to provide items/services (e.g. vouchers, gift cards, specific items) that can be raffled off during the concert. All sponsors from items will be promoted throughout the event.  For more information, please contact event organiser Ella Castillo on 0424 707 794.

Please repost this blog on your timeline to encourage others to get involved in some way, and let me know about other fundraisers you are aware of to support this cause.