INNISFAIL – A packed house in the auditorium of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #104 in Innisfail on May 31 has helped raise thousands of dollars to buy up to 20 wheelchairs for needy citizens in the Philippines.
The dinner dance party event was the 11th annual event held by the Phil-Can Neighbourhood Association, a local organization that has dedicated its collective philanthropy for more than a decade to the needs of others.
This year, the organization made the decision, in partnership with the Knights of Columbus and the Canadian Wheelchair Foundation, to raise money for 20 wheelchairs to send to the Philippines.
It was an idea inspired at least in part by a month-long visit that Grace Gresos, the association’s president, made to the Philippines last fall.
“Filipinos are happy-go-lucky kind of people. Our culture is that even though we're in hard times we can still smile,” said Gresos, adding talks with the Knights of Columbus convinced her and the association to support the needs of citizens in the Philippines. “I think this time we can help the Filipinos.”
Belle Danao, the association’s treasurer, noted many times in the past, the local Filipino community has always fundraised to support local non-profits, such as the Innisfail and Area Food Bank.
“But the group was like, ‘why not help our local Filipinos in the Philippines that need this mobility?’’’ said Danao. “And there is a great cost. It's really hard to get a wheelchair because it's expensive. This will help a lot of Filipinos who cannot afford a wheelchair.
“The healthcare system there is not like it is here. We can get a free wheelchair here, but not there,” she said, noting the theme of the 11th annual fundraiser. “We wanted to use Spring into Giving because it's still spring, and spring into giving is providing wheelchairs to our fellow Filipinos in the Philippines.
“And this is a partnership with the Knights of Columbus,” added Danao. “They're actually the one who said, ‘let's donate the wheelchairs to the Philippines.’
“We will get the wheelchairs from the Canadian Wheelchair Foundation, and the Knights of Columbus will distribute them in the Philippines.”
Danao said the fundraising goal was to raise $200 for each of the 20 wheelchairs.
She said for the average citizen in the Philippines the cost of a wheelchair would be about 8,000 pesos, which would amount to about a month’s salary.
The May 31 event asked attendees to pay $30 a ticket with proceeds going to the wheelchair cause.
Danao said well over 200 local citizens purchased a ticket to the event.
As well, additional money was raised from a 50/50 draw and a silent auction.
All money raised went to the wheelchair cause, with the remaining paying for event expenses.
The evening featured DJ music and a wonderful traditional Filipino roast pig meal for attendees.
There were also indoor prizes and plenty of games for the young, with many taking centre stage on the dance floor.
“And mayor Jean (Barclay) is here to grace us with her presence. That’s good. That’s awesome,” said Danao.
