Dinner Dance to Benefit Philippines

While most of the Filipino people fundraise for the estimated 14 million impacted by the Nov. 8 typhoon that hit the Philippines, a Bucks County group is raising money for their “kids.” 

The Bensalem-based Filipino American Association of Bucks County is sponsoring a dinner and dance on Saturday that President Nida Imperial said she hopes will cover the costs of sponsoring eight children in the Philippines.

“We’re trying hard,” Imperial said of fundraising and selling tickets for the $65 per person night out. “Mostly all of the Filipino community is trying to do the fundraising event for the typhoon.”

Imperial said the county group has already given $2,000 to help typhoon victims and hopes to raise money to help two of its members impacted by the storm which claimed the lives of more than 5,000 people and displaced a reported 1.8 million children.

“We give more for our kids,” she said, adding that each of the sponsor children receive $300 each year and a $50 Christmas gift. “(The $300) is for their school mostly because the parents couldn’t afford for them to go to school.”

The group supports the kids until they graduate high school, Imperial said. Two members “took responsibility” for sending three of the kids to college, she said. So far, two have graduated college and one has already gotten a job, she said.

Imperial, who has served as the Filipino American Association of Bucks County president for six years, said she is planning a trip to the Philippines in February. 

“It’s also my goal to see these kids,” she said.

Aside from helping less fortunate children, Saturday’s dinner and dance fundraiser is a call to anyone who likes to have fun.

“We invite people that are good dancers,” Imperial said. “Filipinos, they love to dance.”

If you go

The event will be held at the Radisson Philadelphia Northeast, 2400 Old Lincoln Highway, Trevose. Cocktail hour with a cash bar will be from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dinner will follow at 8:30 p.m. Attire is formal (preferably red). Tickets cost $65 and can be purchased at the door. Call 215-638-8300 for more information.