
Manitoba government matching donations to Filipino community in Vancouver after festival tragedy
The provincial government announced it will match donations up to $50,000 to a fundraiser providing counseling, trauma supports and other resources to victims after an attack at a Vancouver festival left 11 people dead and dozens injured.
An SUV drove into a crowd of people at the Lapu-Lapu Day celebrating Filipino culture and history in Vancouver April 26. Vancouver's interim police chief called it the 'darkest day' in the city's history. Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30, was arrested and faces eight charges of second-degree murder.
The province will match donations to the United Way Kapwa Strong Fund, which can be reached at uwbc.ca.
Donations can also be made at Red Cross of Canada at redcross.ca or the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg at jewishvancouver.com.
'These funds can help to support the grieving families and those affected by the tragedy as they continue to process and begin to heal,' said Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism Minister Nellie Kennedy.
'Manitoba values our Filipino community, some of whom care for our children, our elders and the sick. It's our turn to care for them as they begin to rebuild following this tragedy.'
Donations will be matched in partnership with Jewish organizations in Winnipeg, which will launch a fundraising and awareness campaign.
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