Local politicians are joining forces to raise money for people in the typhoon-stricken Philippines.
Helping to organize the "Richmond Walk for Love," are Coun. Chak Au and MP Alice Wong, along with people with relations and friends in the storm-ravaged region and members of from various local Filipino and Chinese-Canadian groups.
The walk - which takes place Nov. 23 from 9 to 11 a.m. - starts at Thompson Community Centre and will make its way along the trail on Railway Avenue to Williams Road and then back again.
Au said that, with around 10 per cent of its residents of Filipino descent, there are thousands of people concerned about their loved ones affected by the biggest typhoon ever recorded on Earth. "Richmond people raised over $200,000 for the tsunami victims in Japan last time," said Au.
"We have always come together to help other communities and other countries when faced with natural disasters and other tragedies, and we know this time will be no different."
The death toll in the Philippines is past the 2,300 mark, but many thousands more are feared dead under debris and rubble in the wake of last week's disaster.
The storm was unprecedented in terms of its sheer size, its circular symmetry and the tightness of its eye.
When it hit land, in Leyte and Samar provinces in the Philippines, Typhoon Haiyan's ferocity set records. Sustained winds were 250 kilometres (160 miles) an hour, with gusts of over 300 kph - like standing behind the revving engine of a jumbo jet.
But it was a five-metre (16-foot) storm surge - an intense low pressure at the storm's centre sucking the sea level upwards - that caused the worst damage.
Members of the walk's organizing team will be on hand on Saturday to collect donations.
Cheques should be made payable to Rose Charities, a registered non-profit which aids the Association of Medical Doctors in Asia (AMDA), which is assisting with the relief effort in the Philippines.
Anyone who cannot attend the event but would like to donate may do so by sending a cheque, made payable to "Rose Charities" to Alice Wong's office at 5951 No. 3 Road Richmond BC, V6X 2E3. No cash donation will be accepted by the office, only cheques.
For further information or inquiries about the walk, donations, or volunteer work, contact the organizers at [email protected].
