Hello everyone,

Like many of you, our hearts were filled with shock and grief after seeing the devastation that Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) caused in the Philippines a few weeks back. We resolved at that time to actively participate in relief and rebuilding efforts in Tacloban and the surrounding areas. We have set up a volunteer trip through Kaya Responsible Travel and they have organized an opportunity for us to work directly with the local people to help them try to return some sort of normalcy. Right now, it looks like our efforts - coordinated through local non-governmental organization Volunteer for the Visayans - will be focused mostly on helping to build new homes for families who had theirs destroyed in the typhoon.

This endeavor is especially close to our hearts because Cecilia has family in the area. She visited the Tacloban area as a teenager with her mother. Her memories are of tremendously warm and generous people.

As you prepare to enjoy the holidays with your family, we hope that you will take some time to think of the affected families in the Philippines. By making a contribution to our fundraising efforts, you will help families in the Philippines once again enjoy the comforts of home with their loved ones.

No amount is too small and all contributions are greatly appreciated. It would also be wonderful to have you share this information via Facebook, Google+, Twitter, Email or any other way you see fit.

The funds we raise will go toward building supplies, health programs and educational materials to create a brighter future in an area that has seen unimaginable chaos and destruction. Your money will not be used for our travel expenses or any administrative costs since we are covering these ourselves.

Everyone who donates will be included on our email list for pictures and details of our efforts. Because of the current infrastructure limitations in the Tacloban area, we may not be able to provide these emails during our trip. However, you can be sure that we will eventually have lots of information about what your money was used for.

Thank you so much, Maraming Salamat, for your time and attention.

- Buck and Cecilia Austin 

(credit: video from Mig Macario)