Nine months after raising $4,500 for victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, the new Phil-Can Neighbourhood Association of Innisfail has turned its fundraising efforts to help local youth.
On Dec. 6, the local Filipino association, which now numbers about 200 citizens, held a Christmas Party at the Royal Canadian Legion with a focus on raising money for the Side Door Program.
The supervised drop-in youth program tis operated out of the Youth Programming Facility at 4136 – 49th Ave. It is run by the Innisfail chapter of the Boys and Girls Club of Olds and Area. The program is for kids from grades 6 to 12. It provides social interaction and activities every Wednesday and two Fridays a month.
“It is a non-revenue program but very valuable for the community and very well supported by the community,” said Tammy Oliver-McCurdie, manager of the town's Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) office, who attended the Dec. 6 Christmas party.
Grace Gresos, chair of the association, said the party and fundraiser were inspired by the gratitude local Filipino citizens have for the help and kindness given by the Canadian people.
“We are a small group of Filipinos who want to join the community and help the people for what the Canadian government did for us to have a better life here in Canada. This is the way we say thank you,” said Gresos, whose association was chartered as a non-profit organization last March. The association hosted a dinner and fundraiser for its inauguration and raised $4,500 for typhoon victims.
The Christmas party on Dec. 6 featured a full course meal, entertainment, dancing, games, prizes and of course Santa Claus.
Oliver-McCurdie said her staff has formed a good relationship with the local Filipino association since assisting them to get up and running.
“I am so glad to be here and glad the Phil-Can association is so willing to support that project in the community,” said Oliver-McCurdie.
“We are just glad they are returning the favour by giving back to the community and supporting our Side Door Program. We are really happy they have a really good relationship in the community.
Grace Gresos
"We are a small group of Filipinos who want to join the community and help the people for what the Canadian government did for us to have a better life here in Canada. This is the way we say thank you
."
