Miami-Dade County's Philippines Disaster Relief Concert to raise money for typhoon victims

(MIAMI, December 10, 2013) – Miami-Dade County will host a benefit concert featuring dance, food and live music from acclaimed local artists to raise money for victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. 

The Philippines Disaster Relief Concert will be held at the Miami-Dade College Kendall Campus Gibson Center, 11011 SW 104^th Street, on Sunday, December 15, 2013, from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. Made possible by Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez, County Commission Chairwoman Rebeca Sosa and the Miami-Dade County Asian American Advisory Board, the free concert will feature a number of top acts including PALO!, the Spam Allstars, members of Arturo Sandoval's touring band, Conjunto Progreso, members of Suenalo, Carlos Oliva, Dr. Ed Calle, student ensembles from Miami-Dade College and many more. The event also will feature food trucks and a live broadcast by WDNA 88.9 FM.

Proceeds from concert concession sales will go toward disaster recovery and relief efforts in the Philippines. However, residents are asked to begin donating to help typhoon victims now at www.miamidade.gov/relief. Those who donate will be automatically entered into a raffle to win prizes including autographed memorabilia from the Miami Heat and the Florida Marlins as well as CDs signed by artists performing at the benefit concert.

“Our collective empathy goes out to the people of the Philippines as they recover from the devastating effects of Typhoon Haiyan,” said Mayor Gimenez. “The Philippines Disaster Relief Concert is an opportunity to shine a light on the plight of the Filipino people, and I ask residents to open their hearts and pocketbooks to help the more than 10 million people who were affected by this terrible disaster.”

“The massive destruction and loss of life in the Philippines caused by Typhoon Haiyan have shocked and profoundly saddened the world,” Chairwoman Sosa said. “I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to the people of the Philippines as they face the difficult road to recovery from this devastating tragedy, and I encourage the community to show its support for the victims by donating and attending this benefit concert.”

The County Commission on December 3 allocated $10,000 toward the benefit concert, and on November 19, Commissioners adopted a resolution sponsored by Chairwoman Sosa allowing County employees to donate the monetary value of their accrued annual and holiday leave time toward typhoon relief.

All typhoon disaster relief funds collected by the County will be administered by the Red Cross.