Philippine Disaster Relief

02/23/06

Dear Friends:

Many of you have heard about the tragic landslides that killed hundreds of people in Guinsaugon (Southern Leyte, Philippines) on Friday, February 17th. About 1,500 or more are feared missing.

Filipino-American Civic Employees of Seattle (FACES) is working with the Philippine Embassy and the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) on disaster relief efforts to help the people in Leyte affected by the landslide disaster.

Philippine Ambassador, Albert Del Rosario, stated that the massive landslides, triggered by an earthquake, buried more than 300 houses in the village. The number of casualties is expected to be in the hundreds.

In the wake of national and worldwide disasters, you have opened their hearts and pocketbooks to help. I call on you, once again, to find it in yourselves to share your good fortune and open your hearts to help the victims in the Philippines. Many organizations are helping in the relief efforts. Here are a couple that you may consider.

Local relief efforts:
Filipino American Civic Employees of Seattle (FACES)
P.O. Box 21831
Seattle, WA 98111
Checks payable to “NaFFAA”
Under the memo, please write “Philippine Disaster Relief Fund”

National relief effort:
Philippines Embassy: Attention M. Cynthia Tayam
1600 Massachusetts Ave NW
Washington, DC 20036
Checks payable to: “Philippine Embassy”
Under the memo, please write “Philippine Disaster Relief Fund”

Details about additional city-wide relief efforts are in the works. If you have questions, please contact Brenda Sevilla at (206) 684-0567, Dennis Sismaet (206) 615-0961 or Eddie Ferrer (206) 684-4534 from FACES.

Thank you all in advance for your compassion, support and generosity!

Sincerely,

GREG NICKELS
Mayor of Seattle