Fundraiser garners $30K for typhoon relief effort by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff 5 | Wednesday, March 5, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com An Oakville restaurateur has succeeded in raising nearly $30,000 to help the victims of Typhoon Haiyan. The tropical cyclone devastated portions of the Philippines on Nov. 8, 2013 killing more than 6,000 people and leaving millions displaced and without homes. As media reports brought word of the suffering of Filipinos back to Canada, Cristina Carpio, a former television news reporter who is operations manager at Oakville's 7 Enoteca restaurant, found it impossible to look away. "There is a lot of damage in the Philippines. I grew up in the Philippines myself so I know there are not a lot of resources there," said Carpio. "I wanted to get the Oakville people together to raise money for the victims. It is such a great cause. It has been three months, but there is still suffering there and they are still desperate for help. I just wanted to do everything I could to help them and to continue to raise awareness and not let the victims be forgotten." So, Carpio organized the 7 Cares: Philippines Relief Fundraiser, held Thursday. Among the 100 people who attended the sold-out event were Philippine Consul General Juniver MahilumWest, Pierre Morrissette, owner of Pelmorex Media Inc., the parent company of The Weather Network and Sleeman Canada Chair/Founder John Sleeman. Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn was also there and delivered a message on behalf of Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne. "The event sold out in less than a week," Carpio said. "The response has just been overwhelming, which says a lot about the Oakville community." This was not Carpio's first fundraiser for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan. She was recently a guest speaker at a Red Cross event in Milton, and in December 2013, hosted a sold-out fundraiser in Toronto, which took in $150,000. The cause is near and dear to Carpio's heart as her mother-in-law, Norma Carpio of Oakville, still has family in the Philippines. Norma, who is also president of Toronto's Philippine Independence Day Council and who spearheaded 7 Enoteca held 7Cares: Philippines Relief Fundraiser in support of the not-for-profit Gawad Kalinga Canada, which looks to rebuild, reconstruct and rehabilitate homes damaged by Typhoon Haiyan. At the local fundraiser were, from left, Pierre Morrissette, owner of Pelmorex Media Inc., the parent company of The Weather Network, event organizer Cristina Carpio, supporter Katherine Shanahan and Alfredo Pacis, chair of Gawad Kalinga Canada. | photo by Graham Paine Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) efforts to raise funds in the wake of the tragedy in December, visited her hometown last month and spoke to the Oakville Beaver about what she saw while there. "That was one of the areas, in northern Ilio-Ilio, that was really devastated," she said. "All the houses were destroyed, except for our house and the church." Norma said she was happy to learn that despite widespread destruction, no one in her hometown was killed. She said her family and other residents greeted her warmly as they struggled to cope with their situation. Many people, Norma said, are living in tents and can no longer sustain themselves because the crops they farmed were destroyed. While in the Philippines, she also oversaw the distribution of funds raised through other donations to rebuild a school in the area, something, she said, the local community was enthusiastic about. "Education is very important for the children," said Norma. While money raised during the 7 Enoteca event will make miracles happen for other storm-weary Filipinos, Carpio said additional help is needed. Anyone who wants to make a donation can do so through the charity Gawad Kalinga Canada at www.gk1 canada.com. Carpio said the recent fundraiser wouldn't have occurred without the support of 7 Enoteca's owner Artur Koczur, patrons, and corporate sponsors of the silent auction. Vaccines, Medications, Pre & Post Travel Advice Protect your family with travel vaccines Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre designated by Health Canada Plus, vaccines for typhoid, malaria, traveller's diarrhea, polio, hepatitis, tetanus, altitude sickness and more Plan ahead! Come in 6 weeks before your travel date. If time is short, accelerated vaccine schedules are available Call 905-825-DOCS today Travel Clinic WINDOWS & DOORS The walls of your home are insulated with fiberglass and so should your windows. Fiberglass windows outlast all other windows. Beauty, Style, Colours and Quality. To purchase direct from the manufacturer and save, Contact us at 866-566-5656 or info@inlinefiberglass.com www.inlinefiberglass.com