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Filipino now living in Aspen aims to help home country

Rick Carroll
The Aspen Times

A plea for help

Lee Azarcon wrote the following letter to Aspen newspapers seeking aid for the Philippines.

My name is Lee Azarcon. I am a native of the Philippines, and have been living and working in Aspen for almost five years now. I am lucky to be here in paradise.

My wife, friends, family and I monitored the news when we heard about Super Typhoon Haiyan heading for our native country. I lived most of my life in the Philippines and know firsthand what signal strength 3 typhoon feels like, but a signal strength 4 — with winds that reach 195 mph and storm surges up to 2 stories high — is unimaginable.

These events sadden us, and seeing news stories with lifeless people on the side of the streets, images of whole cities and properties torn down and survivors in evacuation centers, looting due to lack of food and water, and hearing estimates of 10,000 people feared dead and hundreds of thousands homeless. It is heartbreaking.

I am very thankful to know that all my family and relatives are safe — affected by the storm, but very fortunate not to have been at its center. For those who were in the direct path of the typhoon, our deepest sympathies to you all.

With this being said, I am asking for help for my fellow Filipinos. I have set up a relief account at the Aspen Wells Fargo branch called HELP FOR PHILIPPINES. For those of you who are willing to help, please contact me via phone or text at 970-274-4503, or email me at leeazarcon@yahoo.com.ph and I can provide details on how to contribute to the fund, how your donations will reach those in need, and to which aid organizations your donations will be entrusted.

All of your donations are appreciated.

Thank you very much.

Bringing it Home: Now in Aspen, Filipino aims to help home country