Detroit — Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) destroyed numerous whole villages and killed several thousand people in the Eastern Visayas Region in the Philippines on Nov. 8, but in the weeks following the storm, the communities of Metro Detroit have been working to send supplies and assistance to those suffering.

The Filipino American Community Council of Michigan (FILAMCCO), through their charity-oriented FILAMCCO Foundation, has launched a statewide fundraising campaign to assist the cause, and has already shipped 70 boxes of supplies overseas. As of Nov. 25, $60,000 had already been raised.

“The response of the local community has been so good,” said Tony Kho, executive director of the Philippine American Community Center of Michigan (PACCM). “And not just those within the Asian communities, but everyone.”

The FILAMCCO Foundation partnered with the Salvation Army division in the Philippines, and cash donations given to the foundation will be taken overseas by several Salvation Army representatives from the United States. The boxes of supplies will be sent to Catholic churches throughout the region, to be distributed among the people.

Additionally, students at St. Sebastian Catholic School in Dearborn Heights held a supplies drive to collect donations for those suffering in the typhoon aftermath.

The students collected more than 25 boxes of medical supplies and personal hygiene items. Also collected were wheelchairs, blankets, sheets, towels, crutches, canes and other equipment.

After sorting and packing the items, the students loaded them into vans to be delivered to World Medical Relief in Detroit.

“The project was very well received by the students as well as the parishioners, who were invited to join in as well as send monetary donations to the archdiocesan relief fund,” said Gretchen Seurynck, assistant principal of St. Sebastian School. “The students got a firsthand look at what is needed in an emergency when you have no home to go back to in a disaster.”

On Dec. 7, St. Rene Goupil Parish in Sterling Heights will have a special “Holy Mass of Remembrance” for the victims of the Nov. 8 super typhoon. The Mass will be at 7 p.m. and will include a candlelight offertory in which the Filipino community will sing songs of remembrance and prayer. The offering taken will be sent directly to the Archdiocese of Palo in Leyte, one of the places hit the hardest.

Ways to help

Metro Detroit has several opportunities to help those suffering in the Philippines.

• The Archdiocese of Detroit has partnered with Catholic Relief Services to collect and send financial donations. Visit www.aod.org and click the “Help the Philippines” image on the homepage.

• The FILAMCCO Foundation is accepting financial donations as well as clothing, dry goods and canned goods. Checks may be written to “Filamcco Foundation – C/O Typhoon Haiyan,” and sent to FILAMCCO Foundation, 17356 Northland Park Court, Southfield, MI 48075. Online donations may be made by visiting www.filamccomichigan.com/donate. Drop-off hours for clothing and nonperishable food at the Southfield address are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

• Donations may also be sent to the PIME Missionaries, 17330 Quincy St., Detroit, MI 48221. Please write “Philippines” on the memo line. Call (313) 342-4066, or email [email protected].