Ronni's Reflections: Change the Future, One Family in the Phillipines

The amount of lives affected by the typhoon that hit the Central Philippines on Nov. 8th is staggering, how could you possibly come up with a number. They still can't quantify the death toll as they are discovering bodies, missing persons and people are walking around aimlessly unaccounted for, unreachable by conventional methods.

It is hard to fathom the rebuilding process when we have so much and they have so little, not even a brick to start a foundation of a home. There are many outlets to help. All are good provided you make sure they are legitimate and going to the rightful source, the people, aiding those that need it.

This post is about one family in particular hard hit by Yolanda, the catastrophic typhoon. So let me back up a minute. I met Jessa Santos this summer in Northern Kentucky, where she lives. She is from a large family and came over to the United States to try to provide a better life for herself and her young daughter Dawn. All of her siblings still live there and have been directly impacted by this tragedy. Her step-father is trying to do all he can to bring awareness to the family from others that might offer some assistance. Everyone that knows the family or hears of their plight is being asked to spread the word as he has created a funding account just for Elsie, his children and his grandchildren to receive aid via this special account. The relief going into the country is limited and quite slow.

His information is below. If interested in helping, please give knowing that no gift is too small. Jessa's step-father is will keep anyone posted on how their kindness and generosity is helping his children in this time of dire need if they are interested, so please let him know when you mail in your gift.

Pass this information on as well. This is a good loving family. They are proud people and are in desperate need of help.

Thank you for taking time to reflect on their plight.

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Please Help!

Family portrait - May 2010

To those of you who are moved to make a donation to help the victims of typhoon Yolanda in the

Philippines, I ask you to please help Elsie’s and my five children and five grandchildren there in

Tacloban who are victims of this terrible catastrophe. We now know that, by the grace of God, they all

survived (two of them miraculously, having been in Elsie’s house when the storm and surge struck).

Very sadly, all that each of them has now is their life, and the clothes they were wearing while enduring

this monster storm. They have lost everything else.

Elsie's house (before typhoon Yolanda hit)

Elsie’s house, where three of her children lived, has

been totally destroyed, flattened to the ground by the ferocious wind and the 16 ft. storm surge. The same is true for the home of Elsie’s elder son, his wife and four children. All gone now. Wherever all of

them will go and whatever they will do, they will have to start their lives anew, for there is not one thing left of their lives before November 7th.

If you are so inclined, we will be forever grateful, as I am sure

will they, for a contribution of any amount to the fund we have set up for their welfare (“Elsie’s

Children Fund”). Should you do so, you will then know exactly whom your money will be helping to

recover from this disaster and that every penny will be benefiting them directly. May God bless you.

Mail donation to: Elsie’s Children Fund, c/o W. C. Roth, 134 Main Ave., Highland Heights, KY 41076

Please write email address on check.