On July 1st the Turkish Coalition of America (TCA) awarded its fourth and final donation of $ 25,000 for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan that hit the Philippines in November 2013. With this donation, TCA fulfilled its pledge of $100,000 to the Haiyan relief efforts.
TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy presented the donation to Tess Tuazon-Chase, Region Chair of the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce Texas at a ceremony in Houston, which was attended by members of the local Filipino and Turkish American communities, Congressman Pete Olson (R-TX/22nd), Turkish Consul General Bahri Batu in Houston and the Honorary Consul of the Philippines to Texas, Ethel Mercado.
“Typhoon Haiyan has caused an epic humanitarian crisis,” stated Rep. Pete Olson. “In times of crisis, the Philippines have friends willing to lend a helping hand. The Turkish Coalition of America saw a need and delivered with funds that will help continue the rebuilding efforts. Their gesture of compassion and support is a testament to basic human kindness - people helping people.”
“We are very grateful for the TCA donation. It will help the efforts of the Federation of the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce to rebuild another remote island that was devastated by the typhoon,” said Tess Tuazon-Chase Houston Chair of the Chamber.
"TCA is proud to have collaborated with the Turkish Philanthropy Funds in sponsoring a national Turkish American donation drive to help Filipinos in rebuilding their communities," said TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy. "We are also proud to add Filipino American college students to TCA's Study Abroad in Turkey Scholarship Program. We hope that Filipino American students will take advantage of this opportunity, pursue their studies in Turkey and help us further strengthen the friendship between Turkish and Filipino Americans.”
The first three donations were presented this year in support of relief efforts by Filipino American communities in the DC Metropolitan Area through the National Philippine Cultural Foundation in Oxon Hill, Maryland, March 7; in Hawaii through the Filipino Community Center in Waipahu, March 20; and in the state of Washington through the Filipino Community of Seattle, April 23.
