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Over $140,000 has been raised for the Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada (CDF)'s Philippines Relief Fund. Two long-time partners of CDF and the Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA) will benefit from the proceeds of the Fund in addition to regular project support.
The National Federation of Co-operatives for Persons with Disability (NFCPWD), which provides support and services to persons with disability,will receive CDF funds. Four severely damaged member co-operatives will rebuild workshops, purchase or repair equipment and furniture, and provide assistance to their members, including re-building member homes. Nearly 2,000 members and their families will benefit.
The Micro-Insurance Regional Resource Centre (RIMANSI), CDF's partner working in micro-insurance, experienced 180,000 mutual benefits associations (MBA) clients directly affected; 50,000 severely affected. Despite these challenging conditions, RIMANSI's MBAs have been able to keep up with their insurance claims and CDF will continue to provide ongoing support.
CDF has also made contact with all 33 Philippine alumnae from the Women's Mentorship Program. The women are reported as safe and contributing to the on-going rehabilitation efforts at their own co-operatives.
Co-ops supporting co-ops
There have been significant leadership donations for the Philippines Relief Fund. The Irish League of Credit Unions Foundation (ILCUF) is a long-term development partner of CCA in West Africa and is owned and funded by the Irish credit union movement. ILCUF has approved a donation of approximately $29,000. In addition, Vancity, Canada's largest credit union, gifted $20,000 last week for relief efforts.
In Ontario, CDF has seen an outstanding response. The Co-operators was the first major donor to lead in support of the Philippines with a $10,000 donation. This was followed by supporters like co-op grocery store The Big Carrot in Toronto, who donated $15,000, and Libro Financial Group, who donated $2,500. The Ontario Credit Union Charitable Foundation (OCUCF) stepped up to encourage credit union members in the province to donate when banking at a branch through the CanHelp program, giving donations directly to tellers or donating online.
Other co-op sector donors are appealing to staff and members to rally support for the relief effort. Assiniboine Credit Union in Manitoba has begun an employee giving campaign that will match gifts raised by staff. Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) Regional Conferences have pitched in to raise $5,160 in Regina and $2,040 in Winnipeg, with one of the winners of a 50/50 draw donating their portion to the Philippines.
Individual co-operators have donated, as well as corporate donors, with CDF welcoming many new donors because of this important relief and rehabilitation work.
From Newfoundland to British Columbia, Canadian co-ops and credit unions are taking up the cause to provide relief for fellow co-operative organizations and their members hit hard by recent storms in the Philippines.
Fund to remain open this holiday season to support partners in need
"We would like to thank the many loyal donors who are making donations to CDF to support the Philippines." said Julie Breuer, CDF Director of Fundraising and Operations. "We will keep the Philippines Relief Fund open to accept donations up until Christmas and year end."
Donations continue to pour in for the CDF Philippines Relief Fund for partners affected by what has been a devastating storm season beginning with Typhoon Trami in August and then super Typhoon Haiyan on November 8, 2013.
Here's how you can help this important work:
Donations to the CDF Philippines Relief Fund can be made online or by mail to the Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada, 275 Bank Street, Suite 400, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2L6. Please indicate that your donation is designated for the Philippines Relief Fund. Tax receipts will be issued for donations over $10 until December 31, 2013 for this tax season.
The Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada (CDF) is a registered charitable organization. It raises money, mostly from Canadian co-operatives and co-op members, to help alleviate poverty by building and strengthening financial and non-financial co-ops in developing countries. Working with the Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA) and other partners, it helps poor communities fight poverty and create more secure lives through community-owned co-ops. For more information visit: www.cdfcanada.coop.
For further information, please contact:
Julie Breuer
Director, Fundraising & Operations
Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada
(613) 238-6711 ext. 215
julie.breuer@coopscanada.coop | 