Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) made landfall on the Philippines in November 2013, taking many lives and causing major destruction. Ormoc City, hometown of IBF Junior Flyweight Champion Johnreil Casimero, was severely impacted by this natural disaster.
The IBF is running a fundraising campaign in Johnriel Casimero’s name to assist the victims of Typhoon Haiyan in Ormoc City. The campaign, Casimero Aid to Ormoc City, will raise funds for the IPI Foundation, a Philippine-based charitable organization chosen by Casimero. The IPI Foundation has been in existence for 20 years, first as the Don Go Lam Foundation and the last eight years as the IPI Foundation. It is owned and operated by International Pharmaceuticals Incorporated. The foundation has active initiatives in healthcare, environmental programs, educational aid and livelihood programs.
One of the plans the IPI Foundation has for Ormoc City, as told by IPI representative Lourdes Pepito-Damazo is “to reestablish the hope and self-reliance of our affected brothers and sisters. Hence we resorted to establish a Sustainable Container Gardening Program. The main objective for this program is to provide an avenue for the survivors to fresh, sustainable vegetables right in their backyard. This is intended for those newly relocated and organized communities from no-build zones of Ormoc and Tacloban. We want to empower these people to actively participate in rebuilding their lives from the calamity and we intend to start it with a sustainable source of food.” The cost per household for this program is $45.00 US.
The goal for the IBF’s “Casimero Aid to Ormoc City” fundraiser is to raise enough funds to set up 100 households with the Sustainable Container Gardening Program. A total of $4,500.00US is needed to reach this goal by May 15, 2014. “We are not only asking the boxing community, but the fans and the public in general to consider donating to this cause. Johnriel Casimero is an excellent boxer, a remarkable sportsman and we are proud that he is one of our champions. It is an honor to do this in his name,” stated IBF President Daryl Peoples.
Donations can be made for “Casimero Aid to Ormoc City” on the IBF/USBA website at www.ibf-usba-boxing.com. Or, by check or money order payable to IBF/USBA and mailed to 899 Mountain Ave., Suite 2C, Springfield, NJ 07081. Please note on the envelope or in the memo line that the donation is for Casimero Aid to Ormoc City.
