Pinoy community of St. Maarten raises funds for typhoon victims

MANILA, Philippines - People from around the world continue to reach out to help the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda.

Halfway across the world, the Filipino community of St. Maarten, an island in the Caribbean, is raising funds to help their countrymen. They have received overwhelming support from the community and local businesses.

A “Lemon-aid Fundraiser” was held on Nov. 16  and 17 in front of Le Grande Marche, one of the largest grocery stores on the island. Volunteers offered lemonade to customers, who in turn gave donations. Many locals and friends of the Filipino community came out to help and show their support.

The prime minister of St. Maarten also attended the fundraiser and praised volunteers for their hard work in raising $3,000.

Filipino children held up homemade posters and thanked everyone who donated to the cause. 

Another “Lemon-aid Fundraiser” was held the following week.

Some $9,000 has been raised from the donations by local businesses, students of the American University of the Caribbean, and the local Parliament to send relief to the victims of Yolanda.

Both small and large businesses on the island also placed donation boxes at their establishments.

The funds raised will be donated to the Philippine Red Cross, The Philippine STAR’s Operation Damayan and affected families.

Many Filipinos residing on the island have family members who were severely affected by the typhoon.