TACLOBAN, The Philippines — On Nov. 9, 2013, Typhoon Haiyan (a.ka. Yolanda), one of the most powerful storms in recorded history, slammed into the Philippines, killing more than 6,300 and leaving an estimated 4 million homeless while also knocking out much of the island nation’s transportation and communications infrastructure.
Led by Charlie Hernandez, recipient of the 2012 Parnelli Lifetime Achievement Award, and Lori Tierney, the group known as Just a Bunch of Roadies (JABOR) responded, leveraging years of logistical experience and industry alliances to provide the disaster’s survivors with everything from antibiotics to soccer balls.
On Dec. 6, 2014, Typhoon Hagupit (a.k.a. Ruby), while not quite as strong, hit the Philippines again after oscillating between Category 4 and 5 status, heading for many of the same areas made vulnerable by Typhoon Haiyan, including the hard-hit city of Tacloban. After close to 900,000 evacuated, the slow moving storm then weakened to the equivalent of a Category 1 hurricane by Dec. 7.
In an email to industry partners, Hernandez said his organization will be ready to respond. “We gained tremendous insight on how to supply aid to the Philippines and will be at the ready to assist again once we find out what the needs will be,” he noted.
Detailing JABOR’s response to Typhoon Haiyan, Hernandez noted how, “with the support and generosity of APR Energy Group, Rock-It Cargo, Clinton Global Initiative, Project CURE, Satellite Office Services, AirLink, Tait Towers, Clair Global, Eat Your Hearts Out, Live Nation and everyone’s extraordinary individual efforts, JABOR was able to purchase, and deliver over $100,000 worth of antibiotics that were used to help an estimated 50,000 people.
“We also came upon an opportunity where were able, with your help, to assist other groups with the logistics, shipment and delivery of multiple sea containers of medical hardware, hospital supplies, bottled water, baby formula and even got to include oneworldfutbol.com indestructible soccer balls into the containers to maximize payload. Your generosity directly helped the survivors of Typhoon Haiyan in the hardest hit area of Tacloban, Cebu, Leyte.”
Along with its support of the needy around the globe, JABOR has been working on behalf of U.S.-based charity efforts as well, particularly the ICA Food Shelf in Excelsior, MN, which opened a new location with a walk-in refrigerator/freezer on May 28, 2014.
“In the past year, ICA distributed 1.7 million pounds of food to individuals, families, schools, senior centers, other social services agencies and food shelves/food banks,” Hernandez noted, adding that “1.5 million pounds went to 5,790 individuals through 14,288 food services.
“We have chosen to support ICA because it is where we can personally visit and actively participate to ensure every penny you donate is being used wisely,” added Hernandez, who also traveled to the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan to ensure that donated resources went to those who needed it most.
For more information and to make a donation, contact www.justabunchofroadies.org. Hernandez notes that while tax deductible donations can be made on the website’s secure PayPal link for donor convenience, PayPal’s service fees average about 2.4 percent. Alternately, JABOR accepts checks sent to Just a Bunch of Roadies, 3000 E. Mississippi Ave., Denver, CO 80210, Att: Lori Tierney.
The direct link to JABOR’s contact page is http://www.justabunchofroadies.org/contact_us.