Fitness and fundraising will come together next week when Marichu Philp hosts a drop-in Zumba class with all proceeds going to help flood victims in the Philippines.
The Coquitlam resident, who is originally from Cagayan De Oro, located on one of the southern islands of the Pacific Rim country, said she felt she had to do something after seeing the devastation of last month's typhoon.
The storm and the flooding that followed left close to 1,300 people dead and countless others sick and homeless. Entire towns have been washed out, she said.
Philp is particularly focused on a school in her hometown, which was destroyed in the storm's aftermath.
"Most of the children there are already really poor," she said. "Now, there is nothing left."
Philp has already sent several boxes of food and school supplies to the school and is hoping to bring more items when she travels to her homeland next month.
The Latin dance-inspired fitness class will be held on Friday, Jan. 20 at 7 p.m. in the gym at R.C. Macdonald elementary school (2550 Leduc Ave., Coquitlam). The cost to participate is $10 in advance or $15 at the door and all proceeds will go to helping flood victims. For more information email marichuphilp@hotmail.com.
Zumba enthusiasts will also have the opportunity to workout and raise money for another local cause. Maple Creek middle school's parent advisory council will be hosting a similar event on Thursday, Jan. 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the Port Coquitlam school's gym (3700 Hastings St.). For more information, email maplecreekpac@gmail.com.
