Paying It Forward
With the damage and losses caused by Typhoon Ondoy all over Metro Manila and neighboring provinces, it’s time to make use of your time off by helping out our fellow countrymen in need. So jump out of that couch and do your part—let’s make our world a better place, starting with those who are urgently needing our help.
Donation boxes. They say charity starts at home. By this, we mean that it’s about time you did some spring-cleaning. Weed out stuff you don’t really wear, like clothes and shoes. Bags that haven’t been used in a long time should also go into the donation box.
Tip: Make sure that the clothes, shoes, and bags you put into the donation box must be in good condition. You’re helping out others by giving them clothes, but don’t be so rude as to give them shirts or jeans with holes, broken shoes, or bags that have yellowed or have mildewed with age. Remember: You want to help, not get rid of junk. The recipients are not waste-hunters. Please respect the people who need your help.
Another item you can put inside the donation box: food and drinks. We suggest canned goods with “lift to open” tabs since not all evacuees or evacuation centers have can openers, or cup noodles instead of the normal packed noodles to make the less fortunate’s life a wee bit easier since there’s hardly a stove they can use. At least with cup noodles or champorado, all they need is hot water and they’re good to go.
Designated centers for drop-off of donation boxes and relief goods are in the following: La Salle Greenhills; Xavier School Multipurpose Hall, Greenhills; Immaculate Concepcion Academy (ICA) Greenhills; ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya, No. 13 Examiner Street, Quezon City; DSWD-Pasay, Pasay City; and Manila Doctors College Speech Lab, Pres. Diosdado Macapagal Blvd. Metropolitan Park, Pasay, etc.
All Petron gas stations are also open to receiving relief goods.
For more information, check out http://spreadsheets.google.com/lv?key=tBMVeBvbdAtYRaRB6ErFWnA&f=true&gid=21 to know which areas are near your house.
Volunteer. Offer your time and services by volunteering at evacuation centers, through whipping up meals, packing and handing out goods to the evacuees, and any other tasks that needs to be done. Red Cross is also looking for volunteers: Pasay 8542748/4343751; LasPinas 8734873/4689688; Pasig 6350922; Alabang 8093132; NHQ Manila 5245787/527086.
For more information, just link up to http://inghinyero.com/blog/hotlines-volunteer-corps-and-fund-drives-for-typhoon-ondoy-victims-in-the-philippines/.
So what are you waiting for? Go, help, and volunteer! Mabuhay ka, bella!
