If it’s Friday it must be France …
You know how I loooove sharing all things about France, and I promise that next week I have a very intriguing village to explore with you … here’s a taste …
But today I have other things on my mind …
Life is always a constant mix of good and bad. I prefer to share the former rather than the latter but this is something I really want to pass along to you today, not that you haven’t heard about it elsewhere. Hopefully if we all keep spreading the message and finding a few dollars here and there, we can help to make a difference.
It’s difficult to watch the news from the Philippines and not have your heart wrenched. Those of us living in parts of the world that are relatively safe from natural disasters and war are so blessed. Often we are personally affected by events in faraway places.
First this, from my good friend Christine Nolfi: 
**Please forward this message to anyone concerned about the devastation in the Philippines after the typhoon**
–Christine Nolfihttp://www.cscshelter.org/
You, right now, are needed.
By now we have all seen and heard about the devastation wrought in the Philippines by Typhoon Haiyan. The stories are almost too much to bear.
If you’re wondering why the media hasn’t been more active covering the story than they have been, it’s because everyone is still trying to get there. It is BAD. Bad, bad, awful, nightmarish. My heart goes out to those many souls and I will, as always, make a donation to the Red Cross to help the human victims.
The plight of the animals, domestic and wildlife, will almost certainly be overshadowed by the massive human suffering, but make no mistake, they are in dire need as well and even less likely to get it. I view animal welfare in a disaster as one more necessary component of disaster relief, not something to do later or when all the other needs are met, but in conjunction with other efforts. This is why there are veterinarians and animal welfare organizations who are trained for these sorts of situations. As always, World Vets has stepped up to help our friends across the world. After speaking with our contacts in the Philippines, World Vets is sending a team with requested immediate supplies and is on their way now. Once they have arrive, World Vets has committed to continuing support as the needs evolve. This will not be a short-term mission.
I am asking for you, you reading this, to do one thing. One act of love to support the animals whose lives and stories may never make CNN, but whose suffering, we know because our friends there are living it, is intense. Help the people, please, of course, and then do one thing for the animals. Just one. Please consider donating, it’s tax deductible and this fund is earmarked entirely for typhoon relief.
I am donating one: one day’s worth of salary. That will be my one. You may choose to donate one day’s Starbucks. Or one dog leash. One dollar. One thousand dollars. Or nothing, of course, but I hope you can find one act of love you are willing to put into action. World Vets can take a whole lotta ones and make ONE BIG IMPACT on the lives in the Philippines. I invite you all to be a part, and to make November 15th the day you commit to One Act of Love. What’s your One?
Please help me get the word out and do some good! I can’t do it without you!
A dollar here. A dollar there. Whatever can be spared will help. What can you do?
Nice of you to post this. So sad what has happenend in the Philippines. A tragedy. Evan a dollar can help.
You are absolutely right, Phil. It all adds up.
Those village photos are intriguing indeed. So sad about the typhoon in the Phillipines. It’s lovely to see that the animals are in people’s thoughts as well.
There is a magnetism to these medieval villages whose narrow passageways echo with stories and ghosts that capture a visitor and beg to be told. There’s a sadness lingering there too but in a different way. These villages have been ravaged by history rather than storms. I know you have seen your share.
And the Philippines … the photos offer us almost too much to comprehend when these disasters strike. We need to help each other.
Patricia, a thousand thanks for posting about typhoon relief in the Cebu region. The Children’s Shelter of Cebu will use the funds to directly help families in the area that have lost so much during the typhoon.
Luckily, the CSC buildings (made of brick) withstood the storm and the facility is functioning relatively well. Staff members are hard at work helping nearby families who were not so lucky.
I’m so glad to hear they made it through without too much destruction. What a tragedy and what important work they do.
Thank you for posting this Patricia. Breaks my heart to think of all those affected but at least there’s ways we can help!
Also share a deep love for France as well. I’d live there if I could! It’s heaven 🙂
It is heartbreaking, for sure. It’s so hard to imagine living through that type of tragedy!
I hear you about France! Heaven, indeed! I hope you saw my post last week and downloaded the free book about Christmas In France. You will love it!