By Mary Jeneverre Schultz | Asian Avenue magazine
Saklolo, a collaboration of several Colorado-based organizations, raised about $20,000 in ticket sales on Dec. 15 to assist survivors and their families from the recent typhoon Haiyan, also known as Yolanda, in Tacloban, Philippines and the surrounding areas.
The fundraiser was organized a month after Typhoon Haiyan struck the island nation with the strength of a Category 5 hurricane. To date, the storm has killed 5,240 people, injured 25,615 others and displaced about 752,279 families across 44 provinces.
Photo by Franciz Photography, Peejay Lumba and Laine Lumba
“The event would not have been possible without the collaborative efforts of the entire Denver Community, Asian Pacific American Community Leaders and awesome work of the Disaster Relief Committees, led by chair organizers: Donna LaVigne, Edith Pasion and Dennis Apuan,” said Aurelia Jinstead, one of the main committee leaders and organizers of this fundraiser.
Attendees paid $25 a ticket that included food and entertainment throughout the evening. Food was prepared by several food carts and Filipino chefs, who include Kathy Gietl, owner of A Taste of the Philippines food cart, Orange Crush food cart, private chefs and caterers Leah Eveleigh and wife and husband team of Michael and Judy Waxelman.
In addition to ticket sales, a silent auction raised about $4,000. Items from the silent auction included donations from ski resorts, facials, massages, theater and dinner tickets. Two rounds of silent auction were organized throughout the evening event.
Interested in helping the survivors of Typhoon Haiyan, the American Red Cross has set up special fundraising page on their website.
If you could not join the December event, the organizers are hosting another on Jan. 31, 2014 at the Wings of the Rockies at the event called Breweries & Foodies. Visit the website: sites.google.com/site/naffaa5 for more information.
For more updates on the aftermath, follow Mary Jeneverre Schultz on her twitter feed @Jeneverre. All her family and friends are safe.
“Foodies and Breweries”
A Colorado gathering of Beer and Food Enthusiasts
Friday, January 31, 2014
Wings Over the Rockies, 7711 E. Academy Blvd. #1, Denver, CO 80230.
Ticket: $45 (early bird or online), $50 at the door
Donations will go directly to the victims of the Haiyan/Yolanda typhoon through the nonprofit, non-governmental organization (NGO): Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation (PDRF) – www.pdrf.org
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