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Local effort works to give water to those in need
The Soroptimist club raises funds to dig water wells in the Philippines.
By CARRIE WEIMAR
Published October 31, 2007
On Oct. 20, "Operation Pumpwell" raised enough money to build 10 deep water wells, which will provide clean, potable water for an estimated 2,000 people in impoverished rural areas of the Philippines. ¶ Soroptimist International of Largo Mid-Pinellas and the Bicol National Association of America sponsored the successful fundraising event, held at Unitarian Universalists Church in Clearwater. The evening included a light dinner of Philippine cuisine, a silent auction and sales of Philippine treasures, followed by a pageant of traditional and authentic costume, dance, song and musical entertainment. The Philippine Choral Group, which has been performing in the Tampa Bay area for 15 years, performed a "Filipino Fiesta." The Philippine Performing Arts Company of Tampa danced "Pandanggo Sa Shaw," or "Dance of Light," which involved balancing glasses containing lighted candles on their heads, followed by tinikling - the traditional Bamboo Dance. Violinist Charles Korfmacher, pianist Francis Faronda, and guitarist Nick DeJesus provided musical selections that kept the flow lively and enjoyable. The fashion show included intricately embroidered formal attire woven primarily from pineapple fibers. The fiesta ended with the choral group singing a moving medley of the Bayan KoMy Native Land and America the Beautiful, bringing the audience to its feet. So far, fundraising efforts have netted $6,000, but the group is still collecting donations. The need for potable drinking water in the Bicol region was brought to our attention by Soroptimist members Helen Piloneo and Dr. Tess Frias-SanAgustin, both from the area. The wells should be up and running early next year. June Wallace, president of Soroptimist International of Largo Mid-Pinellas.
* * * Neighbor to Neighbor is written by our neighbors about our neighbors. If you've got an idea for a column, contact Largo Times editor Carrie Weimar at (727) 445-4151 or cweimar@sptimes.com. Fast facts How to help Soroptimist International of Largo Mid-Pinellas continues to accept contributions to "keep the water flowing." Mail contributions to SI Largo, P.O. Box 1656, Largo, FL 33779. For information, call June Wallace, president, at (727) 531-4230, or visit the Web site at www.LargoSoroptimists.org
[Last modified October 30, 2007, 22:01:35]
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