LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A local woman with roots in the Philippines is launching a fundraising effort to help the country in the wake of the devastation wrought by Typhoon Haiyan earlier this month.

Maria Montero Bowers of Lakeport is setting up collection canisters around Lake County and also has created a Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/philippinetyphoonrelieflakecountyca , to help bring awareness to the country's plight.

The super typhoon hit the Philippines' southern and central provinces, including the Visayas islands, on Nov. 8. It's reported to be one of the most powerful storms ever recorded on earth, according to the National Aeronautic and Space Administration.

The Philippine government's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council's latest report on the typhoon's impacts stated that there are approximately 4,011 dead, 18,567 injured and 1,602 missing.

The council said that about 2.15 million families – or just over 10 million people – have been affected in 44 of the country's 81 provinces.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that Haiyan has displaced 4.4 million people, and estimated a higher number of impacted individuals – 13.25 million.

Bowers – who is working with the American Red Cross – so far has donation canisters set up at six locations: in Clearlake, at Cactus Grill, 3900 Bayliss Ave., Main Street Bar and Grill, 14084 Lakeshore Drive, and Notts Liquors, 14772 Lakeshore Drive; in Lakeport, Jimmy's Deli N Taqueria, 540 Lakeport Blvd., and Taqueria La Mexicana, 1303 S. Main St.; and in Clearlake Oaks at Happy Garden, 3440 Highway 20.

“They're going to be out for two weeks before the first collection,” she said, adding that she wants to continue collecting funds through January, and also hopes to host a charity dinner.

She hasn't set a goal, but added, “The more I can collect the better.”

Bowers said the money is being used to purchase and distribute relief items like food, blankets, hygiene kits and mosquito nets, with the Red Cross hoping to provide cash grants when the economy begins to function normally. The organization also is helping families find lost members.

She said 12 Red Cross disaster specialists have been deployed to the country.

“There's a severe need and it's immediate,” she said.

Officials with the American Red Cross of Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake Counties said a full tally of the region's donations to help the Philippines isn't expected until the end of this week.

However, “The community has been very generous,” said Ashley Fehrmann, regional chief development officer for the California Northwest Region, who Bowers is working with on the local fundraiser.

Kristie Fry, regional communications officer with the local Red Cross chapter, said community members can donate in a variety of ways, including texting “typhoon” to 90999, which designates a $10 gift, or by going to the Web site at http://www.redcross.org/ca/santa-rosa .

Facebook also has partnered with the Red Cross to collect donations, she said.

Bowers, who was born in the Philippines, came to the United States with her family as a child in 1989. She has lived in Lake County ever since, attending local schools and becoming a US citizen in 2009.

She estimated there are between 20 and 25 Filipino families who make their home in Lake County.

Her family members who remain in the Philippines are OK because they live in the north, which wasn't impacted by the typhoon. She said family friends who live in the country's central area have reported damage to homes.

Bowers said she's been lucky to be a child of two nations – the Philippines and the United States.

“I love them both,” she said, adding, “Right now, the Philippines needs help.”

For more information, contact Bowers through her Facebook page or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.