NWC senior hosts typhoon benefit concert

Tec Sun, a Northwestern College senior who grew up in the Philippines, is organizing a benefit concert to raise money for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan.

The concert is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 23, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Hub in the Rowenhorst Student Center. The $2 entrance fee will include unlimited coffee and fountain drinks. The event will feature performances by Sun, the Usual Suspects, This Much, Nayely Becerra, Amalia Vasquez and more. Sun will also accept freewill donations during the concert.

The tropical storm struck the central Philippines on Nov. 7, causing colossal damage to the island country. The devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan (named Yolanda by Philippine authorities) resulted in a death toll of over 2,000 and has left hundreds of thousands of citizens displaced. With little access to food, clean drinking water or shelter, residents are relying heavily on aid provided by other countries.

Sun, a music ministry major, has taken this call to aid on a more personal level. “I was born and raised in the Philippines,” says Sun. “My dad is a pastor and a missionary from Korea. I attended Faith Academy in Manila, where a lot of missionaries’ children go.” Sun’s parents, who reside in Quezon City, and family friends continue to serve as missionaries in the Philippines.

“As someone from the Philippines, I felt like I needed to do something,” says Sun. “I can’t just sit around and watch the news.”

With a goal of $3,000, Sun hopes to donate all of his fundraising support to Kids International Ministries, a mission organization that runs three children’s centers, a Christian school and community outreaches. The founder of the organization, Jeffrey Long, is a longtime friend of Sun. “I went to school with Jeffrey’s children. I was very close with them,” said Sun. “They are partnering with Bethel International School to help supply aid directly to the victims. I trust them a lot and look up to their mission. They are very faithful people.”

Kids International Ministries will focus their energy on providing relief to the residents of Tacloban, one of the cities most devastated by the storm. The organization aims to provide long-term shelter, clean water, two nutritious meals a day, and medical treatment.

Donations for Kids International Ministries are also being accepted through Northwestern College. Those interested in donating can send support to “Philippines Relief,” Northwestern College, 208 8^th Street SW Unit 997, Orange City, IA 51041. Because Northwestern will be passing the donations on to another ministry, they are not tax-deductible.