After watching the coverage of Typhoon Haiyan and the devastation of islands in her home land, Helen Henley needed to do something immediate to help.
A big fundraiser is taking place this Saturday at the Community Centre, but Henley thought someone should be out collecting donations before then. So the Oyster Bay resident contacted Super Store who allowed her to set up a donation table last weekend.
She had hoped to raise $1,000, but, of course, the generosity of this giving community far exceeded her expectations.
“People gave more than $3,700!” she said Tuesday. “My heartfelt thanks to everyone who gave a donation. My appreciation also goes to Superstore for allowing me to fundraise, Jean (the lottery lady), Ruth Ott, and my husband Cecil for helping me.
“And kudos to the parents who explained to their children why they were donating. You are teaching your kids compassion and generosity.”
Henley is still collecting donations from friends and all the money has been donated to the Red Cross.
Those donations will also be matched by the federal government until Dec. 8, while the province is also matching community donations up to a maximum of $300,000.
If you still want to donate to help some of the 600,000-plus Filipinos who were displaced by the Nov. 8 typhoon, there’s a big fundraiser this Saturday at the downtown Community Centre. The Campbell River Filipino Canadian Cultural Association is hosting the event which opens at 5:30 p.m. Dinner is at 6:30 p.m., and the evening features a silent auction, 50/50 draw and Filipino cultural performances.
Admission is by donation.