Showing they care
Rankin Inlet generous in help to Filipinos in need
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, December 4, 2013
RANKIN INLET
Members of the Filipino community in Rankin Inlet came together to fundraise about $5,000 to help those struggling in the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan wrecked havoc there this past month.
The fundraising effort was spearheaded by Ashley Ymana, who said the effort came together quickly.
Rankin Inlet Filipino community members Ariel Hernandez, back row from left, Lourdes Hernandez, Barbara Dela Cruz, Ashley Ymana, Bing Sadiwa, Emerlinda Pimentel, Mona Bella Yacapin, Wyline Abuan and Melaine Saculles, Amber Fionah Castro, middle row from left, A.J. Libatique and Abigail MacDonald, Gianna Hernandez, front, were among the We Care group members who collected donations in Rankin this past month to help the many Filipinos suffering hardship after typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines. - photo courtesy Doug McLarty |
She said everyone in the We Care group still have family members in the Philippines, but, thankfully, none of them were affected by the storm's wrath.
"Everyone of us had already donated, but we thought we could still do more to help," said Ymana.
"So we put the campaign together and had a table for donations at the flea market, and we put collection cans around the community at the Coop, Northern store, post office, Legion, Wild Wolf and Sugar Rush."
Ymana, who has called Rankin home for the past five years, said most of the Filipinos in the community watched a lot of news about the devastation caused by Haiyan on a Filipino TV channel available locally.
She said the typhoon was the latest in a string of horrible difficulties to affect the people of the Philippines.
"There hasn't been much damage caused by typhoons during my generation, really, with Typhoon Haiyan being the worst weather crisis we've had in the Philippines since 1991.
"But I've been really saddened by what's been happening in the Philippines these days.
"First there's a war, then there's an earthquake and a typhoon, and, on top of that, they're trying to deal with several issues in the Philippines they're facing right now, such as corruption in the government and whatnot.
"So, we thought we should try and make a difference and help other Filipinos by fundraising what we could."
The We Care group collected $3,377 in donations at the flea market alone.
Ymana said the generosity of the people of Rankin Inlet is incredible.
She said she'll never forget how the community opened its heart to those suffering in the Philippines.
"I was amazed at how the people in Rankin, with such a small population, came forward to help out.
"Even kids were coming forward to drop $5, or whatever they had in their pockets, into the collection box and we were all, like, really amazed how people can come together to help each other.
"We were just overwhelmed by everyone's generosity, so I'd like everyone in Rankin to accept our heartfelt thank you for their kindness and to know we really appreciate their help.
"We're sending the proceeds to the Canadian Red Cross through the Royal Bank."
