Damayan 'Sendong' fund drive nears P2-million mark

MANILA, Philippines - Operation Damayan, the philanthropic arm of The Philippine STAR, received P415,000 in donations yesterday to reach a total of P1.856 million in funds raised for victims of tropical storm “Sendong.”

GBR Foundation, which turned over a P200,000 check donation to STAR president and CEO Miguel Belmonte yesterday, said in a statement: “Your valuable efforts in raising funds… is truly laudable and greatly appreciated. With the death toll having risen to over a thousand and with tens of thousands of survivors living in tents awaiting relocation, The Philippine STAR’s initiative will indeed provide much-needed assistance for these victims, especially during this season of love and sharing.”

The STAR’s Operation Damayan, which carries out year-round outreach projects, will assist underserved communities in Northern Mindanao that were hardest hit by Sendong.

More donations were received yesterday from the following good samaritans: Alex Tan, P100,000; Anonymous (K&AB), P50,000; Avesta Salon, P20,000; Nimfa Cuaresma, P20,000; Hung Coronets, P10,000; Babes, P10,000; and Hubert Bang – HSP Contributor, P2,500 / PSP Contributor, P2,500.

The STAR calls on kindhearted organizations and individuals to continue sending in their donations to Operation Damayan by depositing cash or checks to: The Philippine STAR Operation Damayan c/o Metrobank Aduana Branch Savings Account No. 151-304-161622-9. Donors are requested to fax their deposit slips to tel. no. 301-9598 (c/o Operation Damayan) and to confirm receipt of their donations and details thereof.

The STAR’s Operation Damayan Sendong fund drive is open to donations from abroad through i-Remit remittance centers in over 700 locations in 26 countries all over the world.