Philippines disaster relief efforts raise over $34,000

(CNS): A call in the Cayman Islands to aid people in the Philippines struggling to recover from the devastating impact of tropical storm Ketsana three months ago raised CI$34,369. The cylone hit the region on Saturday 26 September, dumping 16 inches of rain in 12 hours. Fundraising for the Red Cross Philippines Disaster Relief Fund was a community-wide effort that included an October radio-thon, along with corporate donations and fundraising activities from various schools to benefit the more than half-million people left homeless by Typhoon Ketsana and subsequent disasters in the region. Many Cayman workers are from the Philippines and their families lost everything.

“Congratulations to everyone who worked on this fundraising campaign and a huge ‘Thank You” for the outpouring of generosity from the entire community,” said Demant Balgobin, disaster manager for the Cayman Islands Red Cross. “We want everyone to know that 100% of the monies raised will be going to the Philippines to support their recovery efforts.”

On Saturday, 10 October, every radio station in Grand Cayman held live remotes encouraging people to stop by and give. Donation locations included all Foster’s Food Fair stores, Hurley’s Supermarket, Kirk Home Centre, Kirk’s Supermarket, and the Tortuga Rum Company in Industrial Park.

The island-wide radio-thon was organized by local Cayman businesses to support the Red Cross relief efforts. Companies involved include Cayman Islands Red Cross, CITN, Digicel, dms Broadcasting (HOT 104, CAYROCK, KISS, and X-107), Foster’s Food Fair, Hurley’s Entertainment (Rooster and Z-99), Kirk Home Centre, Kirk Supermarket, Paramount Media (VIBE and SPIN), and the Tortuga Rum Company. Donations through text messaging by Digicel customers, corporate contributions and the various school initiatives added to the final total.