Update: 10:31 a.m. Nov. 25
The Sud’s Benefit Loonie Twoonie held Nov. 23 at Maht Mahs raised more than $8,000 for the extended family of Bob Suds Soderlund in the Philippines. Their homes were destroyed by Typhoon Haiyan.
“The benefit for Suds’ family was an unbelievable outpouring of generosity. I never dreamed it would be so successful,” wrote Tseshaht Chief Councillor Hugh Braker on the facebook event page. He has begun the transfer of money in smaller increments of a number of hundred dollars each transfer. The transfer slip has been posted on the facebook page.
This reason to send incremental transfers is to prevent robbery “as there is a lot of desperation in the area of destruction.” There is limited phone service and no internet, and Braker was unsure that the banks would have enough cash on hand for a large transfer, he wrote.
The money is being sent to a sister-in-law in Manila who will transfer funds to the family on Leyte Islands using the local money transfer system.
The money is expected to be used on rebuilding four houses and repairing the fish boat.
“So many people donated, so many helped, so many attended that I cannot name all,” wrote Braker. “When we first started planning I expected about $1,000 if we were lucky. No one predicted 8 times that! For our relatives, friends and community members and all others who showed they care, all I can continuously say is thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Soderland provided an update from his wife Nerlita on the Facebook site. She reported that things are getting a little better as they had received some food and water, though it has to be boiled.
“They have a temporary roof made of tarps but they get wet as it rains most nights. Her brothers and sisters and their kids are sleeping in the elementary school....I told her my family and friends were going to help them with some fundraising. She said "tell everyone we thank them so much and may God bless them." Original Story Below.
Tseshaht First Nation is pulling out all the stops to support an adopted family member whose home in the Philippines was destroyed by Typhoon Haiyan.
The Philippines Typhoon Benefit Loonie-Toonie Draw will take place on Saturday, Nov. 23 at Maht Mahs Gym. Organizers are putting together a collection of items that will be up for bid with draws starting at 2 p.m.
Bob (Suds) Soderlund, first editor of Ha-Shilth-Sa, has been a friend of Tseshaht for more than four decades. A close friend of the late Wahmeesh George Watts, Bob was first adopted into the Watts family as a son. Subsequently, Ha’wilth Adam Shewish adopted him into Tseshaht First Nation and presented him with a name.
Ten years ago, Bob married a Filipina, Nerlita Asombrado, from the town of Babatngon in North Leyte Province, and he spends half of each year at the beachside home. He had just returned to Port Alberni after putting a new roof on the house there and completing a number of renovations.
The Philippines experiences its share of tropical storms, but Typhoon Haiyan was unprecedented in scale and in the level of destruction it left behind. The storm devastated Bob’s newly-renovated home, and those of the extended Asombrado family, including Nerlita’s parents, brothers and sisters.
Tseshaht Chief Councillor Hugh Braker said Bob has always been ready to help his adopted community, and now it is time to repay that generosity. With millions left homeless and with aid still barely tricking into the country, Braker said the Tseshaht family is growing to embrace some new members.
“We are adopting the Asombrado extended family of Babatngon, North Leyte Province, Philippines,” he wrote. “Almost all members of that extended family lost their homes and all belongings in the typhoon. By concentrating on assisting one extended family we hope to significantly improve some lives.”
You can help by donating items for the Loonie-Toonie/Raffle/Auction. Organizers have set up a Facebook site (Suds Benefit), or you can contact Holly McLaughlin or Gail Peterson Williams at the Tseshaht office (250-724-1225).
As of Wednesday, the prize pool had grown significantly, and includes a 32-inch plasma TV donated by the Thomas family. All items are new. Watch for plenty of artwork as well. Cash donations and bake-sale items are also gratefully accepted.
All proceeds will be donated directly to the Asombrado family in Babatngon, with transfer receipts to be posted on the Facebook site.
Doors open at 10 a.m. for previews, with lunch beginning at noon. Maht Mahs is located at 5001 Mission Road, adjacent to the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council office. Watch the Facebook site for updates.
