PCGNY.net | News Release

DONATIONS FOR KATRINA VICTIMS CLOSING ON OCTOBER 31. NEW YORK FIL-AM COMMUNITY RAISES $26. 538.00

AMBASSADOR DEL ROSARIO AND FIL-AM LEADERS TURN OVER $70,210.00 TO AMERICAN RED CROSS IN WASHINGTON

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL - NEWS RELEASE
26 October 2005

“On behalf of my family and as a private citizen of the United States of America, I wish to express our personal gratitude for your country’s offer of assistance to the victims of hurricane Katrina. Your kindness is a symbol of hope to us and to the world community as a whole.“

So said the handwritten letter of Ms. Mary Ann Payne, a mother from Fayetteville, Pennsylvania, who was directly supported by the donations of the Filipino American Community to those affected by the hurricanes.

Philippine Ambassador to the United States Albert del Rosario and Filipino-American community leaders based in the tri-State of Washington, Maryland and Virginia, turned over $70,210.00 in check donations, on behalf of all the Filipino contributors across the US, to Mr. David Meltzer, Senior Vice President for International Services of the American Red Cross (ARC) at the ARC headquarters in Washington, D.C. last October 14.

The $ 70,210.00 donation was part of a total of $ 98,020.00 raised by the Filipino-American communities and channeled through the Philippine Consulates in Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York and San Francisco, and the Embassy in Washington, D.C. in response to the appeal made by Ambassador del Rosario for the victims last September. The $ 27,810.00 which were raised by the Filipino-American communities in Guam, Hawaii and Saipan -- and channeled through the Philippine Consulates there -- were remitted directly to the local American Red Cross chapters in those areas before October 14.

Meanwhile, all the donations received by the Consulate General in New York as of 25 October, totaling $26,538.00, have been sent to the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC. The names of the donors are listed on both the Embassy’s and Consulate’s websites at www.philippineembassy-usa.org and www.pcgny.net.

Ambassador del Rosario told Mr. Meltzer that the Filipino-American communities in the US were “very responsive in showing their unity” in helping the victims of Hurricane Katrina. In response, Mr. Meltzer said that “the American Red Cross and the American people are humbled and truly appreciate (this gesture).”

“Allow me to convey the American Red Cross’ sincere appreciation to the officers and staff of the Philippine Foreign Service and the Filipino-American community for their generosity and overwhelming support for the Hurricane Katrina Relief Campaign,” wrote Ambassador del Rosario. “I would (also) like to recognize other Filipinos/Filipino-Americans who have directly assisted Hurricane Katrina victims, or who have provided financial contributions though organizations other than the American Red Cross,” he added

The fund-drive was kicked-off by a donation of $10,000.00 from the Philippine Foreign Service officers and staff in the United States and matched by a $ 10,000.00 personal donation from Ms. Loida Nicolas-Lewis.

Check donations, payable to the American Red Cross, are accepted until October 31.

Ambassador Albert del Rosario hands over the donation to Mr. David Meltzer – Vice President for International Services of the American Red Cross. Also in photo from left to right are: Mr. Pablito Alarcon, Ms. Linda Pirrone, Dr. Evangeline Ecarma, Ms. Bing Branigin and Ms. Tessie Calderon. Assisting Ambassador del Rosario was Ms. Cynthia Tayam- Finance Officer of the Philippine Embassy.