Pioneer Playhouse is raising money for Robert Powell, who has been part of the Playhouse family for over 50 years.

Robert, or Bob, as he is known, author of 39 books and many calendars about Kentucky, recently retired with his wife, Editha, to her homeland in the Philippines and put his savings into fixing up a home there. Even from such a distance, Bob continued to be Pioneer Playhouse’s main designer, creating our newsletters and playbills and ads through his strong connections to those in his home state of Kentucky.

On September 30, a category 8 earthquake hit Cebu in the Philippines. It destroyed the City of Bogo, and the epicenter ran through Bob and Edith’s house. Bob was initially trapped in his bedroom by fallen debris, but with the help of neighbors, he and Edith were able to make it outside, only to see their neighborhood in ruins.

For the next several nights, Bob and Edith lived first in their car, then in a tent city, and later in a small hotel—mostly without electricity or running water. Because of constant warnings of a bigger earthquake or deadly aftershocks, finding safer locations was always a priority.

Bob and Edith are lucky to be alive. The death toll from this devastating earthquake is still being tallied, and hospitals are over run.

Bob and Edith’s future living situation is uncertain. The dream home they spent their life savings restoring was partially destroyed. It is unclear yet whether half the house can be made livable again or not—and at what cost.

For now, Bob and Edith need help with day to day expenses, having lost everything.

Thank you for any help you can give.