ETFO and its locals donate $94,000 for Philippines relief work

TORONTO, Dec. 13, 2013 /CNW/ - The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO) and its locals across Ontario have donated $94,000 for humanitarian relief work in the Philippines.

"Millions of people continue to struggle with the devastation and tragic realities in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan which ripped through the Philippines," said ETFO President Sam Hammond. "It is incumbent on all of us to act in order to assist those facing months and years of rebuilding their communities and lives."

The Federation kicked off the fundraising effort with a $10,000 donation, then moved to match the $42,000 raised by ETFO locals. A majority of the funds have been donated to the Humanitarian Coalition consisting of five charitable member agencies including CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec, Plan Canada and Save the Children Canada, as well as to Oxfam and the Canadian Red Cross. The coalition's website is http://humanitariancoalition.ca/

"The giving doesn't stop with this amount. It's going to take years to rebuild the lives of children and families in the Philippines. We are encouraging all ETFO members and others to continue making individual donations in the spirit of the season," added Hammond.

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario represents 76,000 elementary public school teachers and education professionals across the province and is the largest teacher federation in Canada.

SOURCE: Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario

Valerie Dugale, ETFO Media Relations: Cell: 416-948-0195, [email protected]