Booze sellers organize fundraiser for Philippines

(CNS): The Cayman Islands Brewery in Prospect will be hosting a major fundraiser on Saturday 23 November to raise cash for the victims of Super Typhoon Haiyan, which struck the Philippines at the weekend. This is the first time that all of Cayman’s liquor distributors — CIB, Cayman Distributors, Jacques Scott, Tortuga Rum Co, Premier Wines & Spirits and Cayman Distillery Co — have come together for a joint relief effort. With a significant Filipino community in Cayman, many residents have been seeking ways to help the people impacted by the destruction. Following the message from the premier at the weekend, the opposition leader also called on people to do what they could.

"I want extend my sympathies and regret to the people of the Philippines at destruction and loss of life caused by the recent typhoon,” Mckeeva Bush stated. “We remember the destruction wreaked upon us by Hurricane Ivan and thank god that we escaped with only 2 deaths. I want to ask anyone who can to do whatever possible in offering any kind of assistance to the people in the Philippines to do so, in particular if there are any person resident or person working in the Cayman Islands who have family affected.”

Anyone who can help is asked to contact Ms Lettie at 925-5454.

All the proceeds of the CIB fundraiser are going to Philippines Red Cross and the honorary consulate of the Philippines here in Cayman, ear-marked for the Arch Diocese, which is assisting the orphans and special needs children.

Meanwhile, humanitarian workers and military personnel from all over the world were arriving in the eastern area of the country on Thursday in an effort to rescue and feed those devastated by the devastating typhoon. With winds among the strongest ever recorded in a storm of any kind, the typhoon also brought a destructive storm surge, washing away towns on many islands. Although earlier estimates of as many as 10,000 were revised, more than 2,350 are dead, close to 100 missing and almost 4,000 injured.

There are now more than 2 million survivors who are in need of food and shelter, according to the Philippine authorities.

See details of fundraiser below and visit Facebook for more information.