West Michigan Filipino-American Association

Fund from the Heart

This concept was first introduced in December 1, 2007 during the West Michigan Filipino American Association Christmas Party. This fund is for Cash Advances from Pledges from the Members given to the WMFAA members who asked for financial help during their time of financial needs when their loved one(s) passed away.

The goals of this project are:

To be able to help our members who asked for financial help during their time of financial hardship (Bereavement, when a registered family member passed away).
To be able to give each member a chance to help each other in time of their financial hardship caused by losing a loved one due to death.
To encourage friendship, support and cooperation amongst all members.
To be able to promote unity amongst the members.

In the Philippines, when someone passed away, we the Filipinos give “abuloy” to the bereaved family. This “abuloy” (in the form of cash) is used by the bereaved family for the expenses incurred during “wake” (visitation) and the final ceremony to laid the beloved departed one to rest.

We have been practicing this concept (Abuloy System) here in our community. A friend or friends of the bereaved family called on friends, tell them about the situation and friends shared whatever amount they can spare to help financially along with the prayers for the bereaved family. This practice is just put in formally to help accelerate the “funding” of the financial need of our association’s member(s). The monies in the “Fund from the Heart” were raised through “Beauty for a Cause” and “Bowl for a Cause”.

Thanks to the Beauty Contestants, their family and friends who helped support this project.

Another Thank you goes to the participants of the “Bowl for a Cause” who helped supports this project also.