Senator Gianaris, NAFCON, Red Cross Organize Typhoon Relief Efforts in Woodside's Little Manila

(Woodside, NY) Senator Michael Gianaris joined the American Red Cross, the National Alliance of Filipino Concerns (NAFCON) and Senator Toby Ann Stavisky at a community forum at the Bayanihan Filipino Community Center in Woodside. Woodside is home to a large Filipino neighborhood affectionately known as Little Manila.

Since the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan, Senator Gianaris has worked to aid the Filipino community in finding loved ones back home and organizing relief efforts. At the forum, Senator Gianaris, the Red Cross and NAFCON shared information on how all New Yorkers can help those affected by this catastrophic typhoon.   

“As New Yorkers, we take pride in the diversity of our neighborhoods, and we take pride in the thriving Filipino community in Woodside,” said Senator Gianaris. “In times of disaster we come together to recover and I am proud to see the recovery efforts already underway here in Queens. I will continue to work with NAFCON and the Red Cross to spearhead recovery efforts in our neighborhood, and I urge everyone to do what they can to help.”

Senator Gianaris thanked NAFCON and the Red Cross for all they are doing, and designated his office in Astoria as a drop-off point for donations and supplies; anyone looking to donate to those in need can do so at 31-19 Newtown Avenue, Suite 402, Astoria, New York, 11102.

“My thoughts are with the victims and survivors of this terrible storm and their loved ones here in Queens praying for their safety. Now that the storm has passed, I am proud to join with my fellow elected officials, the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON) and the Red Cross to mobilize our resources to help in the rescue and recovery effort. I applaud the federal government’s commitment of $20 million in aid to the Philippines but much more will be needed to address the enormity of this disaster. I urge New Yorkers to donate to NAFCON so that we can deliver immediate relief such as food and water to the victims of Typhoon Haiyan,” said Senator Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Flushing.)

"This is the worst humanitarian crisis in Philippine history, and the Philippine government is not responding adequately. 6 days after the typhoon hit landfall, aid and relief have yet to reach Leyte and Samar, the hardest-hit regions in the country. It is up to the community to send aid and relief. To broaden and strengthen our efforts across the US, NAFCON partnered with unions, churches, and elected leaders to form Taskforce Haiyan. And we invite all others who are concerned and want to help to join us," said NAFCON, through a spokesperson.   

“The Greater New York Red Cross is committed to supporting New Yorkers concerned about loved ones in the Philippines,” said Josh Lockwood, CEO American Red Cross Greater New York Region. “One of the ways in which we are assisting locally is through our call center for New Yorkers trying to locate loved ones in the Philippines as well as those coping with the emotional trauma caused by the storm. To reach the call center, dial 877 733 2767.”

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