Bayanihan Association of Northern California

BANC Holds Masquerade Ball Fundraiser

By Julia Carreon-Lagoc
Redding, CA-USA
November 21, 2014



          Do you have philanthropy in mind? Call it gift-giving to a fellow being in greatest need. Many times our compassion and benevolence are challenged by the deplorable state of our kababayans in the homeland. Think of the devastation of the Bohol earthquake and typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), two horrifying disasters that visited our country last year.

          You can bank on BANC for bighearted action. Nothing can be a more fitting acronym for the Bayanihan Association of Northern California, so named after the bayanihan trait Filipinos inherited from their forebears. Filipinos helping fellow Filipinos came out strong in the association’s fundraising events. The latest of these noble undertakings was the Masquerade Ball held November 15, 2014 at the huge social hall of the Our Lady of Mercy Church in Redding, California. BANC Fundraiser 2014 was writ large on the wall as backdrop for the rows of attractive dinner tables.

          Steering the association in its multifarious activities are the present BANC officers: Jaime Calloway, president; Bernadette Underwood, vice president;  Wrapshell Alderson, secretary; Carmen VanNoy Heikkela, treasurer; Mercy Fournier, auditor; and Rollie Cadungon, press relations officer. Nominations for the election of the next set of officers are going on.

          To augment its cash kitty and bolster the inflow of funds, BANC welcomes one and all for donations: members, non-members, past members, future members, and the general public. Worthy to note that as of Dec. 7, 2013, funds dispersed to the families of the earthquake and typhoon victims totaled $11,350.00. The BANC NEWSLETTER, adeptly handled by Editor Rossana Roman, contained long enumerations of helping hands in the fundraising activities, concluding with a deep-felt gratitude:      

     “BANC cannot find the words that will be enough to thank all those people who joined in this effort. One can say, the true ‘BAYANIHAN’ spirit came alive! THANK YOU all! Thank you, Shasta County! Thank you, America! Thank you, world, for caring and being there for the Philippines!”    

       The Bayanihan Association of Northern California is outstanding proof that Filipinos in diaspora, scattered in the far-flung countries of the world, in this case Redding in Northern California, can organize themselves — in pursuit of noble goals for the sake of their countrymen in the homeland and abroad