Cranford Boy Recognized by Filipino Businessman for Typhoon Relief Efforts

When Joshua Furer, 12, of Cranford heard about the devastation in the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan he decided that not enough people were helping the victims, so he decided to begin an effort in Cranford.

Furer, who’s mother Jen was born in the Philippines, organized a clothing drive and fundraiser where he collected more than 10,000 pounds of old and unused clothes, board games, shoes, towels, toys, etc., as well as cash donations.

Between the proceeds from the clothing drive and the cash donations, they were able to raise $3,260.

Jen Furer contacted friends and family in the Philippines to find out what organization Joshua should focus on. They decided on the Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation’s Brick by Brick project.

“I really liked the idea of the Brick by Brick because it feels like we can all help in rebuilding a school, hospitals and homes,” Joshua said.

Using the clothing donations, Jen contacted ClothingDriveFundraiser.com, which pays 25 cents for every pound of clothing. Joshua added that they never intended to donate the clothes, because money was a more efficient way to help the Philippines.

Joshua decided to write an email to the Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation to find out where the money would go and what percentage would actually go to the building project. Much to his surprise, the chairman of the foundation, Manny Pangilinan, was so impressed by Joshua’s efforts that he replied personally to the email. Also, the wife of the president of the foundation also replied to his email.

“They both said I was an amazing kid, which was nice to hear,” Joshua explained.

The letter from Joshua is now featured on the foundation’s website. Find it, here.

Joshua donated the monies raised to the foundation via PayPal.

He added that his friends Tim O’Donnell and Ryan Sawyer of Cranford also assisted greatly in the project, as well as Ian Sullivan and Phil Marotta. On Dec. 1, ClothingDriveFundraiser.com picked up more than 800 bags donated through Cranford residents and other nearby communities from the Furer’s home.

“We were thrilled that he took on the project with enthusiasm, and encouraged his friends to participate,” Jen Furer said. “It's beneficial for both the children and the society to build a sense of enthusiasm towards helping people among today's kids.”

Jen added that she was not sure if they would reach their goal of 350 bags, but Joshua believed in people’s willingness to help.

She explained that the Cranford community was very eager to help and they received help from the following groups, as well as countless neighbors: Cranford High School Global Institute, Jersey Mortgage Corporation, WebUndies.com, JC & Crew Haircutters, Weichert Realtors, 365 Things to do in Cranford, Cranford Girl Scouts at Temple Beth-El Mekor Chayim.

“We even had volunteers who schlepped to Bergenfield to pick up truckloads of donations,” Jen added.

Jen and Joshua have put together a website, gottasendhelp.org, to continue efforts and give updates on this project and any future projects.

Joshua said his next step is to collect quarters after the holidays for the brick-by-brick project.

“For just a quarter (25 cents), you can buy 1 brick,” Joshua said. “I think all of us can afford to donate a quarter a week.”

He added that he hopes that Hillside Avenue School, where he currently attends, will tkae this on as an on-going project.

Joshua said, “we may not be superheroes with super powers but we can always make a difference in the world.”