Students Raise Over $11,000 for Philippine Typhoon Victims

A student-led fundraising campaign has brought in more than $11,000 for Philippine typhoon victims — exceeding their initial goal of $2,000 by a longshot, according to the New Haven Unified School District. 

And more money is still coming in, the district said.

Project Haiyan started in James Logan High School teacher Ivan Santos’ Filipino Heritage Studies classroom as a class project, but quickly turned into a community-wide effort.

A majority of the money was raised at the Project Haiyan benefit show, held on Nov. 22 at Alvarado Elementary School. The event was held in conjunction with community organizations such as New Haven’s Pilipino-American Society for Education, Kaisahan, Filipino Advocates for Justice and San Leandro High’s Social Justice Academy. Local vendors such as Bayani Art, SariSari Underground and KYR Apparel also contributed to the show.

All of the funds will be given to the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns’ relief efforts in the Philippines.

“The efforts to collect monetary donations for survivors of the largest, strongest typhoon in recorded history was truly an amazing display of community,” Santos said in a email to the district.

The Nov. 8 storm killed more than 5,000 people and impacted more than 14 million residents, according to the Huffington Post.

“During this holiday season, it’s important for all of us to know and appreciate our blessings and what privileges we are lucky to live with,” Santos continued. “It’s very evident that the community, in Union City (and beyond) definitely know this as people from all walks of life took part in touching the lives of those less fortunate.” 

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