The powerful typhoon Trami (locally known as Kristine) hit Casuray, Magarao, Camarines Sur, Philippines, my late wife Becky’s hometown, on October 23, 2024. It caused extensive devastation.

My wife was the eldest of ten children; and most of her siblings and extended family still live there. Their rural neighborhood has been under heavy flooding for over a week now--with floodwaters reaching first floor level. This is the first time they’ve experienced these torrential levels and were caught unprepared.

The damage includes their food supply, furniture, appliances, and most of their belongings. Even their harvest-ready rice farms, where they depend on to get their food supply and livelihood, were destroyed. They are living off some very limited assistance from their local government. It is an awfully challenging situation just to survive. They need substantial humanitarian assistance urgently.

My name is Eddie Chavez. I'm from the Philippines, but now reside in the U.S. I met my beloved wife, Becky, while in college. It was love at first sight. We got married; lived happily; and were blessed with four amazing children.

Sadly, she passed away unexpectedly in 2021.

For those who had the blessing of knowing my beautiful wife Becky, you know of her selflessness and immeasurable generosity. She loved helping people; and led fund-raising projects for calamity victims and other worthy causes.

We remain close to Becky’s Bicol family; and we strive to help them as much as we can in times of need. My family has tried to pool our resources to help them out this time, but we can only do so much. I am retired and have limited resources. The last thing I would like to do is ask other people for personal family needs. But I realize that this devastating flood has a life-threatening impact on my wife’s extended family.

I am making this urgent appeal for donations of any amount from all generous, good-hearted people who are willing and able to give for this cause. My prayer is for all givers to be blessed beyond measure!

The fund will be used to purchase food, bedding, clothes, basic household items, medicines, cleaning supplies; for urgent repairs; and for some post-flood recovery activities.

The funds collected will be sent to my sister-in-law in the Philippines. She has been my established trusted contact to whom I send every cash assistance to the family since my wife passed away. I will then request my sister-in-law to distribute the funds to people who were adversely affected by the floods, including Becky's siblings, relatives, and their immediate neighbors.

Thankfully and respectfully yours,

Eddie Chavez