- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
Our colleagues at UC Berkeley sent out the following message with activities they have planned to show support for the students and families affected by Typhoon Yolanda (also called Typhoon Haiyan) in the Philippines. They invite the ANR community to join them.
Dearest campus community,
As our hearts and thoughts go out to the students and families who were impacted by the disastrous effects of Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines, the Pilipino/Pilipino American student community at Cal has mobilized a relief fundraising initiative called, "Act for the Philippines," in collaboration with the Associated Students of the University of California (ASUC) Office of the President, and the Residence Hall Assembly (RHA). Berkeley in itself stands to be a global community and we want to make sure that we act as one. Besides raising awareness regarding the recent occurrences in the Philippines, our goal for mobilization efforts is to raise $10,000 in monetary donations to be directed towards the immediate relief efforts of the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON). NAFCON is currently partnering with numerous other colleges and universities across the nation as well.
The following details all the mobilization efforts that have been organized thus far:
1.) #Act4thePhilippines Ribbons for Relief (November 14-27, 10AM-2PM, daily on Sproul Plaza)
Ribbons with the colors of the Philippine flag will be available on a $2 sliding donation scale on Sproul Plaza through the Pilipino/Pilipino American organizations. Tables will also be set up outside select dining commons starting Monday, November 18 to continue ribbon sales. If you, your student group, or campus department is interested in helping sell these ribbons, please visit tinyurl.com/sellribbons.
2.) A Moment of Silence for Victims of the Typhoon (Wednesday, November 20, 11AM on Mario Savio Steps)
Time will be dedicated to all those who passed and to stand in solidarity with the typhoon victims in the Philippines. Volunteers will be on Savio Steps on Sproul Plaza wearing white shirts to raise awareness for the candlelight event the following day (read below). Tables will be set-up for people to obtain ribbons and continue to donate.
3.) A Candlelit Night of Solidarity (Thursday, November 21, 4:30-6PM on Mario Savio Steps)
Candles will be lit and donation booths will be set-up for this night. We will be having a simple program with guest speakers and performers. The entire campus and Berkeley community are invited to join us this night to light a candle, to donate towards the immediate relief operations, and to ultimately come together as one community. We ask that members of the community wear white shirts to show support as one.
We ask that you (1) consider attending this Candlelit Night of Solidarity, (2) publicize these events and efforts of the entire Berkeley community through your networks, and (3) encourage your departments to facilitate pooling monetary donations and direct those towards our Act for the Philippines campaign. We appreciate any support that you and your respective communities can provide in these communitywide and global mobilization efforts.
For campus department donations:
Please make checks payable to ASUC Office of the President (all proceeds will be collected into one donation to NAFCON) and deliver all contributions to the LEAD Center front desk at 102 Hearst Gym, M-F 9AM-6PM.
We thank you in advance for your kind considerations and support through this difficult time. It is our collective action that makes our efforts truly speak to a commitment of maintaining and fostering a global community.
In solidarity,
DeeJay Pepito, ASUC President
Vincent Canlas, RHA President
Nicholas Dirks, Chancellor
Harry LeGrande, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs