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December 31, 2016
Dear friends,
I am happy to report that the spirit, in which the Canadian
Network on Cuba (CNC) representing groups in different parts of Canada has
responded to attacks on Cuba by such hurricanes as Ivan (2004), Dennis (2005),
Katrina (2005), Wilma (2005), Gustave (2008), Ike (2008) and Sandy (2012), is
alive and well and is manifested in the beginnings of our response to the
destruction caused in Cuba by Hurricane Matthew (Oct. 5, 2016).
The naming of these villainous hurricanes reminds us of how
frequently Cuba has been victimized by disruptive acts of nature. Scenes of the resulting destruction will have
been replayed in our minds of the immediate reaction big men crying in the face
of the desolation; but we also remember the relief of knowing that very few, if
any, fatalities have fallen to these monsters of nature. And then we could admire the cooperativeness,
the solidarity that had gone into the planning and the execution of measures of
defense against these hurricanes.
In addition, we could be inspired by Cuba’s generosity to
other peoples as the island shared its scientific knowledge and its slim,
embargoed material resources with other peoples. In this case, for example, we can remember
how we launched a vigorous campaign to help Cuba help Haiti recover from the
horrific earthquake of January 12, 2010.
And in the case of this latest hurricane, Matthew, we noticed how, on
the day after the hurricane struck both Cuba and Haiti, Cuba’s help was on its
way to devastated Haiti as it had been ready to go, though refused, to New
Orleans when poor people of that city were left by their government to die.
The frequency and extent of these attacks by nature on Cuba
have meant that, despite the conscientious, efficient and honest response to
the challenges, the material wounds are never fully healed. There is always room for our help. Our campaigns, scrupulously managed, with
every collected penny going to a special fund established by the government of
Cuba, are an always needed effort that we cannot allow to flag. No fees or incidental expenses of any sort
are ever deducted.
Please, then, keep thinking of ways in which we can continue
to help the heroic people of Cuba to shake off the setbacks caused by hurricane
Matthew. So far, we have raised some
$27,000. Make the fundraising events be
as open and cheerful as possible. ¡Hasta la victoria siempre!
You can donate via the CCFA Toronto by cash or cheque. Cheques should be made payable to:
Canadian Network write “Cuba Hurricane Relief” on the memo
line, to CNC,
Mail to:
Att: Sharon Skup, Treasurer
56 Riverwood Terrace
Bolton ON L7E 1S4
Unfortunately we are unable to provide tax receipts.
Un abrazo,
Keith Ellis
Coordinator,
Hurricane Matthew Relief Campaign
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