Chicago Typhoon Haiyan Relief Efforts

It has been more than a week since Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines.  In case you missed the news coverage on the devastation that the storm left behind, Arielle illustrated it here:

The picture pretty much says it all: Strong winds took away the trees and ruined homes.  There is rubble all over the floor.  People are hungry, sad, and they need help!  (For real, she drew that on her own and I was astonished.  How did she know about all that?  I’m so glad I snapped the picture before she erased it and commenced her usual drawings of Hello Kitty and Kai Lan.)

My grandparents and Jeff’s dad and grandmother are there in the Philippines.  So we saw past the radar images of the mega storm in the news and instead saw that our family members were in clear and present danger.  It was scary and not a good feeling at all.

We thank God that our families were safe and weren’t hit as badly as Tacloban.  Here’s an update that my grandma posted on Facebook:

Let me stop to say – how awesome is my grandma for being on Facebook?!  Not just for having an account (because anyone can open a FB account, really), but for understanding the power of social media to update concerned family members and loved ones.  Way to go, Mama! {Applause, applause!}

Even though our families were out of harms way, there are still thousands of others who need help.  Jeffrey, Angie, and I decided to head over to the Rizal Center to volunteer for the relief efforts among the Filipino community in the Chicagoland area on Thursday night.

When we first got there, it seemed like chaos – the place was bustling with people everywhere, boxes piled to the ceiling, and rows of tables with people sorting out the supplies and packing them up.

It was bananas!  It wasn’t apparent that there was a volunteer coordinator so I just jumped in and asked, “How can I help???”  Without looking at me or breaking her stride, the some lady just said, “Sort out these medical supplies and put them in a box!”  Okay, then…and I did just that!

It was chaotic, but I was on-board quickly – I would start a box for a particular supply, like hand-sanitizer, and anyone standing next to me would quickly realize, “Hey, that’s the box for hand sanitizer!”  Then, all the hands would work as one to fill the box, tape it up, and send it on its way.

I didn’t know the names of the people I was working alongside. I didn’t know how their families were doing.  I didn’t know if they’d been there all or if they came straight from work. Heck, I didn’t know what people were saying to me half the time because I don’t even speak Tagalog!  But it didn’t matter – we were all there, for one common cause, smiling, not complaining, and happy to help our countrymen.

Everyone was working hard except for when the local Chicago news crews were filming.  Small character glitch for us Filipinos:  We love to be in pictures and on camera.  Everyone piled in the room just to be present and all work ceased while the cameras were rolling.  Susmaryosep!

The Rizal Center expected a few hundred boxes, but ended up with 5,000+ boxes of supplies.  The generosity, energy, and support was amazing!  It made me very proud to be part of the Chicago Filipino-American community and to help the country that I’ve never even been to but love dearly.

There’s still lots of work ahead and many more prayers needed!  Please pray that all these wonderful supplies make it to the people in need in a timely manner.  Thank you for stopping by and thanks for your prayers!

xoxo // gracielle.