Embrace launches ‘Embrace the Philippines’ effort for Manila fire relief

June 7, 2012 - PRLog -- San Diego, Calif. - (June 1, 2012) – Embrace, a local non-profit organization that mobilizes diverse groups of college students to serve less fortunate members of civilian and veteran communities, is launching a humanitarian campaign called Embrace The Philippines, in a relief effort to assist the 5,000 Filipino families who have lost their homes due to the massive fire that struck Manila, Philippines on May 11, 2012.  The student-led campaign is calling upon the San Diego community to collect cases of bottled water and canned goods to support victims.

From June 1-June 30, student organizations and youth ministries are invited to collect canned goods and water for the Philippines fire relief aid. In order to financially assist the student organizations with the work they do to serve the San Diego community throughout the year, the two groups that collect the most canned goods and cases of water will each be rewarded with $1,000 from the Marshall Faulk Foundation for their organization.
"The moment I heard that more than 5,000 families were suddenly homeless due to the Manila fire, I knew Embrace was going to help," said Sean Sheppard, Founder and CEO of Embrace. "We’re going to do all we can to immediately provide food and water as we work with officials on the ground in the Philippines to strategize how college students can assist with the home rebuilding process as well. Embrace is in this for the long haul.”
“It’s great to see today’s youth helping those in need,” said Marshall Faulk, NFL Hall of Fame inductee and San Diego State University All-American. “I’m glad my Foundation can help them ‘Embrace the Philippines’ by supporting their efforts.”

Cases of water and canned goods drop off points include the SDSU Physical Plant Department, the Gonzalez Sports Academy in Chula Vista, CA and Revive Day Spa & Salon/Hollywood Tans in La Mesa, CA. Collections will be shipped by the end of July. Groups participating are expected to tally their donations and report back to Embrace at the end of the month.

On Saturday, June 9, 2012, the Mabuhay FilAm Festival at Kimball Park in National City will join Embrace The Philippines collection efforts. Filipino Americans from all points of San Diego county that attend the festival to celebrate 114 years of Philippine Independence, will be asked to bring canned goods and cases of water.
The Tavern at The Beach in Pacific Beach, Calif. will conduct a month-long water drive including an event called, “Water Aid” on Thursday, June 21, 2012. For the entire month of June, patrons who donate a case of water (minimum 24 bottle case, 12 ounces each) will receive one complimentary beverage.

Student organizations and ministries including American Legion Post 201, American Legion Post 434, Athletic Kids Association, Hiking Ministry (Rock Church), Never Knew A Father’s love (Rock Church), Kaliloa O Kaleo’Onalani, SDSU Kappa Sigma Fraternity, Search and Rescue Unit Foundation (Philippines), Yokoz Islander Grill and Sushi Bar, SDSU Student African-American Brotherhood, SDSU’s Circle K, UCSD’s Circle K and SDSU Foodies have already begun organizing relief efforts.
To learn more about how you can help, visit www.Embrace1.org/philippines.