The devastating effects of natural disasters can reach around the world, but hands extended in support of those left in the wake of destruction can reach just as far.
When Laura Morrow, owner of Laura M’s, learned of the Philippines’ Typhoon Pablo and the havoc it wrought on her friend Eden Diorio’s family in the hardest hit Compostela Valley, she embarked on a mission to help feed and reconstruct the village.
Diorio has lived in Saratoga four years with her husband and toddler son.
At first, Morrow donated $100 to help Diorio’s family. But then she thought of the money she was going to spend on Christmas presents for her friends and family.
“I got thinking, my friends and family don’t need a gift and so I got a hold of all them and asked if I could donate in their name instead (of give them) a Christmas gift,” Morrow said.
As word has spread, people have been coming in to the store to offer donations, Morrow said.
That generosity is not uncommon, especially this time of year. Morrow said she often has people come into her store wanting to donate to local organizations, individuals, and soldiers.
“So many people are in so much need right now,” Morrow said. “This kind of hits home because (Eden) is one of our residents and one of our favorites.”
By Friday, Morrow had raised $1,300 which converts to about 52,000 Philippine pesos.
“It’s mostly ‘cause this town has got such a warm heart,” Morrow said.
Diorio and her sister, who lives in Oregon, have been sending their parents money to live on, but the extra donated money will purchase rice, noodles, bread and dry fish for villagers and building supplies to help with reconstruction.
“It’s just sad because the ones who live on the farms - we get our food from them, the rice the crops, the bananas - it’s all wiped out,” Diorio said.
The water is contaminated and it will take six months to get the power back on.
The only building left standing is the school and because of the people temporarily taking shelter there, classes are not expected to resume until February.
What started out as a single donation of $100 has grown and Morrow has decided to extend the donation period to the end of the year and possibly reach $2,000.
“It just depends on how many people are willing to open up their heart and give during this time as opposed to buying a lot of unnecessary things, I guess,” Morrow said.
Diorio said it was hard being here while her family struggles - she was just there in September for the first time in four years - to attend her brother’s wedding. Hearing the reaction of her parents to the incoming donations has helped, though.
“My wish came true because of the angels here,” Diorio said.
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