Donation to the Philippines, Results

As you saw in the April 21, 2020 Meeting notes, we decided last night to send a $220 donation to the Philippines, while we worked out exactly how to do our Food For Families donation locally.  Reference was made to a letter put out by the state Council and 4th Degree Master Duane Morris about how his wife was trapped in a relatively poverty stricken area of the Philippines, and how the people were struggling under severe curfew and quarantines to even get enough food to survive.  Well, this must be the quickest response I've ever seen.  The following are the two e-mails from Duane that we have received- the initial one asking for funds, with pictures, and the second one with the response that food will be delivered today, halfway around the world, also with pictures!
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Worthy Brothers,

The impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic is world wide. My wife was in the Philippines visiting her family when the pandemic started and is stuck there until the Government imposed Lock Down is over. The Lock Down in the Philippines is much more strict than what we have seen here in the United States. There are now checkpoints at each town and curfew hours in which you can be outside the house. Any one caught outside after curfew can be arrested and detained. The open markets and small grocery stores are only open limited hours and announced yesterday they may even be closed for a two week period. My wife and I are trying to organize a relief effort to help people in the community that cannot afford groceries before the two week lock down. If your council would like to donate towards this relief effort, please send your donation to me, so that I can send the funds to her to purchase and distribute the groceries. Any amount would help. Please see some of the pictures of the bagging and distribution of groceries from this past weekend.

If there are any questions about this relief effort, please contact me at dlmorri@gmail.com.

Vivat Jesus,

Duane Morris

Oregon State General Program Director

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And the second e-mail from Duane, after our donation:
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Hello Brothers,

My wife went and purchased the food using the donation that you have sent and will distribute them later today (tomorrow in the Philippines 15 hours ahead of us). Here are some pictures. 

Vivat Jesus,

Duane