Petris Family: Typhoon Devastation
Meet the Petris family. Julie and Michael Petris are the parents of Jeorge, Samantha, and William and are living in a small traditional village outside the city of Hong Kong where they have lived for 15 plus years.
This is a family that has made it their mission to give to those in need. Whether they be family, friends, or absolute strangers, they find ways to help as best as they can. At 6 and 8 years old, Jeorge and Samantha established a non-profit organization called The Little Philanthropists. After seeing the happiness they brought to the lives of others during a day of volunteering at a nursing home with their mom, they were inspired to make the world a better place. The Little Philanthropist Ambassadors (all children) work together to organize events and raise funds for the charities and causes that they believe in. Please click on the link to see their story and all the good they have done for their community. Here is Jeorge telling her story of why she wants to give:
Early this summer, the Petris family found that the integrity of the roof of their house was severely compromised. Faced with having to move or repair, they decided to invest much of their savings into repairs and renovations that would secure this as their home for many years to come. A contractor was hired and construction on their roof began early this summer. Construction was extremely slow! Many months later, as typhoon season kicked in, their roof was still not intact and their house was completely vulnerable to the oncoming storms. This family and their house have survived many a typhoon, but nothing could have prepared them for the magnitude of Typhoon Mangkhut. The Petris Family was home when the storm hit. Mid-storm it became clear that they were not safe. The house was literally falling down around them. Luckily everyone escaped with only minor injuries. Their little home, however, was not ok.
It has been over a week since the storm and they are still picking up the pieces of their house and making the best of their situation. They are sleeping on the floor of the girl's room, as that is where the remaining roof is providing adequate shelter. Julie said that even when it is no longer raining outside, somehow it is still raining inside their house! Although they have a contractor coming soon to help stabilize what remains of their little home, they are concerned more typhoons are on the way.
The kids hard at work helping with clean up.
The kindness of a total stranger coming to help pick up pieces and make the yard and house as safe as possible brightened this families day!
The Petris family and their home have been devastated by the possibility of more destruction to come if there are heavy rains or more typhoons. They are looking at needing to basically rebuild their house. Their lives have been turned upside down and they need our support.
It is now our time to give back and support the people who have made it their mission to give. Whether you are family, close friends, acquaintances or total strangers, please consider making a financial donation to their cause and help the Petris Family get back on their feet and into a safe and comfortable home.
