Community Corner
Walnut Mayor Appeals for Disaster Relief Donations for the Philippines
A collaborative effort to raise funds and collect goods has been started by St. Lorenzo Ruiz Catholic Community Church, Walnut, and Atlas Shippers International.
Walnut Mayor Tony Cartagena, a Filipino- American and long time resident of Walnut, appeals for disaster relief aid from various organizations, companies, and community members in the San Gabriel Valley to benefit the victims of Typhoon Haiyan (named Super Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines). A joint and collaborative effort has been established by St. Lorenzo Ruiz Catholic Community Church of Walnut, the City of Walnut, and Atlas Shippers International.
Mayor Cartagena indicates that the most needed items for donations are light towels, light blankets, water, canned goods, and toiletries. Monetary donations are welcomed for purchase of canned goods and toiletries at discounted prices. Please make checks payable to St. Lorenzo Ruiz Catholic Community (for Haiyan Relief Operations). Donations are tax deductible.
The drop off location is at Walnut City Hall, 21201 La Puente Road; Monday to Thursday; 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. For information, please contact: Fabiola Huerta, (909) 595-7543 City of Walnut; Gilbert Adajar (909) 261-1953 Packing & Sorting/SLR Basketball League, Rea Guilas, (626) 965-9200 Atlas Shippers International; and for general information Honchee Natividad, (909) 576-4991.
“Right now, body/cadaver bags are desperately needed by the victims of Typhoon “Yolanda” (international name Haiyan) among other items," said Philippine Consul General Maria Helen Barber-De La Vega during an urgent public meeting attended by Filipino-Americans and international community organizations and media at the Philippine Consulate Office in Los Angeles.
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The Philippine provinces of Leyte, Samar and northern part of Cebu in the Visayas region have experienced one of the deadliest disaster ever recorded. One of the most powerful typhoons hit 170 mph and stormed surged to 20 feet.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that as of Nov. 16, “3,633 individuals were reported dead, 12,487 injured and 1,179 are still missing. A total of 1,962, 898 families were affected in 44 provinces, 536 municipalities and 55 cities.”
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Major Reynaldo Balido spokesman for NDRRMC said, “Thousands may have been swept out to sea as storm surges hit ground zero in Samar and Leyte.”
A memorial mass at St. Lorenzo Ruiz Catholic Community was offered last Saturday to all the victims of Typhoon Haiyan, including five members of the family of St. Lorenzo Ruiz parishioner Blas Taon, who have been confirmed dead.
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