It has been more than a week since Typhoon Haiyan swept through the Philippines, packing nearly 200 mph winds and overwhelming surges of water. More than 2 million people are still displaced, entire communities have been flattened and the death toll rises daily.
It has been more than a week since Typhoon Haiyan swept through the Philippines, packing nearly 200 mph winds and overwhelming surges of water. More than 2 million people are still displaced, entire communities have been flattened and the death toll rises daily.
The storm was one of the strongest ever recorded and to say it has been devastation for all involved would be an understatement. Because of Hawaii’s large Filipino population, many local residents have been directly affected by the tragedy more than 5,000 miles away.
However, out of the darkest of tragedies is sometimes when you see the brightest side of the human race.
Friday afternoon, dozens of kids wearing soccer jerseys lined the streets around the Waikoloa Highlands Shopping Center waved signs and urged passers-by to donate to their cause.
What was their cause?
It was not to send their team to a tournament on the Mainland or for new equipment — it was 100 percent for the victims of the typhoon.
The group of kids, ages 5 to 15 from multiple Waikoloa soccer clubs, held up signs with phrases such as, “Soccer supports the Philippines,” and “We love the Philippines,” eliciting honks and smiles from supporters.
The Waikoloa soccer community rallied together to organize the “Score a Goal” bake sale — which included everything from li hing mui gummy bears to homemade pies — in less than a week.
“We put the word out on Sunday about doing this and got such a huge, positive response,” said Tori Schneider, one of the many organizers of the event. “We have a large Filipino presence within our soccer community, and some people have family members who are missing or that they have not heard from yet. This is just all of us doing our part.”
Donovan Bramel, a member of the Waikoloa Flash under-10 team, was one of the players out for the cause Friday.
“It makes me sad thinking about what happened in the Philippines,” Bramel said. “This cause is important to me and it makes me happy knowing we are doing a good thing and making an impact.”
Schneider said all of the money collected during the fundraiser will be donated through the Red Cross.
Many of the players wrap up the fall soccer season today at the HYSA fall playoffs in Hilo.