Walker in toy drive for Phl kids

MANILA, Philippines - “Fast & Furious” star Paul Walker was racing to gather toys and collect cash to spread some cheer among children affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda when a car crash claimed his life.

Before the accident, Walker and his friend Roger Rodas attended an automotive industry gathering and toy raising event called “Winter Drive.”

The annual charity event was intended to “provide aid to less fortunate children in hopes of helping them grow up to become confident, responsible and productive young adults,” Autocon, event partner of ROWW, wrote on its website.

Guests were requested to either bring an unwrapped toy worth $10 or donate the same amount to get an access pass to the event. Proceeds from the fundraising will also be used to fund volunteers who will be going to affected areas like Cebu and Leyte.

“We were just shooting and we wanted to take some time out, everybody’s aware of the catastrophic events in the Philippines. We are happy to be making another Fast & Furious but there are times when you know you gotta check yourself, I mean what’s going on out there, people without homes, people without food, people without water, it’s a heavy, heavy time. So right now for us, it really is a race for relief. We’ve got a team from Reach Out Worldwide that is present there and it’s always been ready because their needs are going to be extensive for a long period of time. So basically we are reaching out to the fans, we love Manila, we were there last year and they received us with open arms, we love the Philippines. Fans we wanna rally you up, its better to be armed and ready and a let’s start sending in some help, appreciate it,”  Walker said.

This call for help video was posted last Nov. 22 in Reach Out Worldwide’s YouTube account and Walker shared it on Nov. 24 on his Twitter account, thanking his Fast & Furious family for supporting the cause. “@RealPaulWalker: Big thanks to the @FastFurious team for joining @ReachOUtWW’s effort to help the victims of Typhoon #Haiyan.”

Walker was an active supporter of Reach Out Worldwide (ROWW), a mobile first aid organization, which he helped form in 2010.

JD Dorfman of ROWW describes Walker as the heart and soul of the humanitarian organization.

“Paul wasn’t someone who would just write a check and lend his name to an organization; he was the heart and soul of Reach Out WorldWide. Paul was the first one in and the last one out, he led by example and his hard work and dedication inspired everyone who had the privilege of working with him. He led one of the first teams into the hardest hit areas of Haiti and traveled to Chile to bring water, medical aid and hope after the Earthquake and Tsunami. He ran a chainsaw clearing debris and helping people get back into their homes during the hottest days after the tornadoes in Alabama... Some people play a hero, Paul was a hero. Paul was an honorable, hardworking, dedicated, respectful man with a humble spirit who shared his blessings with those who needed it most. It was an honor and a privilege to be able to work with, learn and look up to someone who walked the walk,” Dorfman wrote on ROWW’s Facebook page.

Last Nov. 19, Walker tweeted that ROWW had begun its on-ground relief efforts, “@RealPaulWalker: After providing clean water w/ @wavesforwater, @ReachOutWW is mobilizing a medical team headed for the #Philippines.”

ROWW’s “boots on ground” team composed of medical personnel and disaster responders arrived in the country last Nov. 15 in Cebu, and has already made its rounds in Baybay, Sitio Cabagdalan, Tanauan, Palo, and Tabontabon.