Fundraising for Yolanda: A fashion site’s donations and an auction for Ormoc

National camaraderie comes to the fore whenever a calamity strikes the country. Typhoon Yolanda recently proved this once again, bringing the nation together to help survivors in the storm-stricken provinces. The need to rebuild lives is a pressing matter and help in any form is still encouraged with urgency.

Recognizing these, many private individuals continue to do what they can to help, and their efforts to make a difference are equally valued.

Friends Cristina Cu, Jessica De Mesa and Arianne Kader saw the need to actively help the typhoon victims and resolved to do something about it quickly. The three had already been brewing a project together since last year, and found a way to integrate helping the typhoon victims in their enterprise.

Born in December 2013, TheOutlet.Ph is an online repository of new and used designer clothes, shoes and bags sold at a fraction of their original retail price.

TheOutlet.Ph allows you to clean your closet—and make some money out of doing so while giving a portion to the Yolanda survivors at the same time. Impossible? Possible.

I tried the process myself. First I chose some items from my wardrobe. I then got in touch with the TheOutlet.Ph team through email and promptly got a reply specifying the date and venue for assessment.

After a swift coordination, I met with Arianne, one of the founders, at Rockwell in Makati. She inspected the items, sifting what would go on the site. A thorough contract was then read and signed by both parties: some stipulations include product pricing, profit sharing, confidentiality and of course, the charity requirement.

TheOutlet.Ph donates 10 percent of all proceeds to Globe's Yolanda outreach program Bangon Pinoy.

Auction for Ormoc

Another group of friends has decided to put their resources and unused personal items to good use.

A fundraising auction to be held on January 18, 3 p.m. at Munchtown in Greenhills Promenade aims to raise money to be donated to the city of Ormoc via the Office of Ormoc Vice Mayor Leo Larrazabal Locsin. (The items are listed here.)

Ormoc City in Leyte was badly hit by Yolanda. “While aid continues to come from various foreign and local contingent, it is not enough. The damage was too massive and the need of our people also continue to grow by the day,” Locsin told GMA News Online in an interview.

“Right now, yes, we are recovering fast. The town proper, our business establishments are back to normalcy. But there are far-flung areas and barangays that still need attention,” he added.

The items to be auctioned on January 18 were donated by private individuals and include a 32” LED television, an iPhone 5c, a Sony Playstation, an espresso machine, a mountain bike and gift certificates for food and other products.

These items will be traded at prices lower than their commercial value and 100 percent of the proceeds will go to Ormoc’s rehabilitation. Tickets to be able to participate in the auction cost P500 each, and ticket sales will also go to Yolanda relief.

“The funds are intended to purchase corrugated sheets for our public schools,” said Locsin. “Our children have resumed classes but the weather hasn’t been too kind and we experience rains almost on a daily basis. This forces them to hold lessons under big trees, and so we would like to address that need.”

Any funds in excess, he added, “just like other donations will be accounted for and evenly distributed to all barangays. We are always grateful for everyone’s beneficence.”

Such creative and feasible ways to be one with our brothers and sisters in need. Long-term plans are imperative for full recovery, but any help is welcome and it always starts with one simple step. — BM, GMA News