Contact: Rebecca Bamberger

BAM Communications

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Embrace Launches 'Embrace the Philippines' Humanitarian Effort for Manila Fire Relief

Donation from the Marshall Faulk Foundation enables local student organizations and youth ministries to compete to collect the most canned goods and cases of water

San Diego, California. - (May 29, 2012) - Embrace, a local non-profit organization that mobilizes diverse groups of college students to serve less fortunate members of civilian and veteran communities, is launching a humanitarian campaign called Embrace The Philippines , in a relief effort to assist the 5,000 Filipino families who have lost their homes due to the massive fire that struck Manila, Philippines on May 11, 2012. The student-led campaign is calling upon the San Diego community to collect cases of bottled water and canned goods to support victims.

Fire Razes Shanty Town in Manila, Leaving Thousands Homeless

From June 1-June 30, 2012 student organizations and youth ministries are invited to collect canned goods and water for the Philippines fire relief aid. In order to financially assist the student organizations with the work they do to serve the San Diego community throughout the year, the two groups that collect the most canned goods and cases of water will each be rewarded with $1,000 from the Marshall Faulk Foundation for their organization.

"The moment I heard that more than 5,000 families were suddenly homeless due to the Manila fire, I knew Embrace was going to help," said Sean Sheppard, Founder and CEO of Embrace. "We're going to do all we can to immediately provide food and water as we work with officials on the ground in the Philippines to strategize how college students can assist with the home rebuilding process as well. Embrace is in this for the long haul."

Fire victim surveys ruins

The town of Manila, Philippines was ravaged by fire, leaving more than 5,000 families homeless.

"It's great to see today's youth helping those in need," said Marshall Faulk, NFL Hall of Fame inductee and San Diego State University All-American. "I'm glad my Foundation could help them 'Embrace the Philippines' by supporting their efforts."

Cases of water and canned goods drop off points include the SDSU Physical Plant Department, the Gonzalez Sports Academy in Chula Vista, CA and Revive Day Spa & Salon/Hollywood Tans in La Mesa, CA. Collections will be shipped by the end of July. Groups participating are expected to tally their donations and report back to Embrace at the end of the month.

On Saturday, June 9, 2012, the Mabuhay FilAm Festival at Kimball Park in National City will join Embrace The Philippines collection efforts. Filipino Americans from all points of San Diego county that attend the festival to celebrate 114 years of Philippine Independence, will be asked to bring canned goods and cases of water.

The Tavern at The Beach in Pacific Beach, CA will conduct a month-long cases-of-water drive including an event dubbed 'Water Aid' on Thursday, June 21, 2012. For the entire month of June, patrons who donate a case of water (minimum 24 bottle case, 12 ounces each) will receive one complimentary beverage. 

Student organizations and ministries including American Legion Post 201, American Legion Post 434, Athletic Kids Association, Hiking Ministry (Rock Church), Never Knew A Father's love (Rock Church), Kaliloa O Kaleo'Onalani, SDSU Kappa Sigma Fraternity, Search and Rescue Unit Foundation (Philippines), Yokoz Islander Grill and Sushi Bar, SDSU Student African-American Brotherhood, SDSU's Circle K, UCSD's Circle K and SDSU Foodies have already begun organizing relief efforts.

To learn more about how you can help, visit www.Embrace1.org/philippines.

About Embrace

Founded in 2000, Embrace uses community service to bring diverse groups of people together to bring about social wellness in our society. The organization focuses on the utilization of college students and recent graduates to develop their leadership qualities and remedy community problems such as health disparities and homelessness on a volunteer basis. Founder Sean Sheppard's ultimate goal is to bring about legislation that makes community service mandatory for all college students that attend state funded institutions of higher education. 

Visit www.embrace1.org for more information.

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