Yes indeed, it’s getting close to the holiday season again. For Filipinos the Holiday Season starts when the months end with “ber” like September, so now that it’s already November, Christmas is almost here. There is a lot of excitement in the Philippines at this time of year. People are happy and friendly.
Back in the States, and in much of the world, people look forward to what gifts they are going to receive for Christmas. The whole holiday thing has gotten very commercialized, it’s all about shopping. Here in the Philippines, things are a bit different. Most people don’t have money to splurge on gifts and such. The biggest Christmas tradition in the Philippines is Noche Buena, which means a Midnight meal on Christmas Eve. It’s a meal for the whole family. Food is enjoyed, games are played, it’s a real old fashioned fellowship among the people. There was a time when it was like this in the West also, but times have changed a lot. Also, since most Western people have more money at their disposal, this makes it easier to make a real commercial thing out of the holidays.
It’s a tradition for LiP that we have the LiP Christmas Drive. This is something that my family and I started even before LiP existed, but over the past years we have included the LiP family in the event, and by doing so have been able to vastly increase the event. What is the LiP Christmas Drive all about? Well, for new readers who have joined us in 2011, around this time of year, I ask readers, if they choose, to make a donation toward the event. My family works by buying food items and packaging those items into Christmas packages to give to the poor. We choose a different area each year, but on Christmas Eve, we go to some remote area and give out these Christmas packages to the poor. Usually we all dress with Santa Claus hats to give it a real holiday feel.
The gratitude that I have seen over the years from the Filipino people that we have been able to help has been very touching, and it is what drives me personally to keep doing this year after year. This will be our 9th year to do the LiP Christmas Drive, and it seems to get bigger and bigger each year. It is very rewarding to me, Feyma and our kids each year.
I am coming to you asking for donations a bit early this year. Usually I wait until about December 1 or so, but because the world economy is still in very poor shape, it might help to ask a bit early, so that people can make arrangements with their funds. Keep in mind, nobody is obligated to donate, but I ask that if you want to make a difference in the lives of some poor Filipinos, please consider doing it.
It’s a yearly tradition that each year, we take lots of pictures, and also try to make a video too, which we can share here on the site. For those who gave money, I like to share it with them so that they can see what their funds did to help the poor. Last year, we helped several hundred families on our regular LiP Christmas Drive. Later in the day, we kicked off something new by going and visiting some poor students that we found out about and sponsoring them for all of their meals in school for the remaining part of the school year. Those kids were very grateful and were really touched by the generosity of the LiP family.
I want to let you know a couple of things about the LiP Christmas Drive. Firstly, there are no administrative costs involved. We do all the work, so nobody has to be paid or anything. 100% of the funds that you donate will be used to purchase food items to be given away to the poor in the Philippines. Second thing is that these gifts that pare purchased and distributed are given 100% to the poor and needy. None of the items are given to family members or friends. Last year, I found another “Philippine expat blog” that took donations and they gave the Christmas gifts to kids in the expat’s family. That does not and will not happen with the LiP Christmas Drive. These items are given to people that we don’t know. People we encounter in poor areas. People we have never met. You can trust 100% that no funds will be used for family members or anything like that.
So, Minda Claus will be riding again this Christmas. Are you willing to help me out by making a donation to the cause? If so, just click on the Paypal “donate” button in the article. If you want to give but prefer not to use Paypal, please Contact Me, and we can work out an alternative donating method for you.
Let me take a moment to thank you in advance for your generosity. No amount is too small (or too large!), it’s all up to you. I have gotten donations for $1 or $5 in the past, and I’ve also gotten donations up to $500 as well. All donations are equally appreciated. I have a new eBook coming out sometime in December. The book will be selling for $49, and for anybody who donates $100 or more, I will give you a free copy of the new book that I am working on! It will be sent to you as soon as it becomes available, but only for those who give $100 or more! If you give less than $100, you also get a great reward… the happiness and good feeling in your heart that you helped somebody who may not have been able to celebrate Christmas, due to extreme poverty.
Thank you again!
Bob: What a great undertaking. How do I go about making the donation? Do I make a transfer to your bank account(s)? I should be able to donate $100 or the equivalent in PHP. I have to admit, the eBook was an enticement!
Hi Francis – thanks for your kind comment. If you have a paypal account you can use the “donate” button in the article. Or, I can also send you my details for my Unionbank account so that you can directly deposit. Just let me know, and I will send you the info by private e-mail.
Done. Thanks for doing this, Bob!
Thank you Francis, I received your generous donation! When my book is completed it will be on it’s way to you!
This is excellent Bob. Done
Thank you so much Allen. Greatly appreciated, and I know that a few people will be thanking you on Christmas too!
Hi Bob – It’s on the way. More power to you and your family. Happy Holiday.
jun
Hi Jun – Got it! Thank you very much for your donation, I know you’ll bring a few extra smiles on Christmas!
Hi Bob,
There was this cartoon here recently in a Belgian newspaper, a bunch of starved, skinny black people stepping from a boat unto an European shore, telling us, we also would like to suffer from your economical crisis …. it put some things in perspective … Yesterday we were told a recession is on its way in Europe, even in Belgium ; next week our still to be formed government will propose its budget for 2012, and serious cuts are expected in many areas. Honestly, I wish I had more of a Scrooge character, but what the heck …. the donation is on it’s way, it’s not that big, but if we all contribute, maybe, maybe, we can make a ripple in the ocean. A merry, merry christmas to all at LIP ….
Ronny,
ps : i will be visiting Phil’s early next year, probably even Mindanao, for the first time
Hi Ronny – The world is really in tough shape, no doubt. Here we are in 2011, 3 years past the time when the economy crashed, and I feel we are on the brink of another collapse, probably worse than before. Believe me, I appreciate whatever you can offer for the LiP Christmas Drive! thank you very much.
Hey, if you make it to Davao next year, please give me a shout!
I recently returned home from another great vacation in Iligan City. Christmas items were already appearing in the stores and Christmas music was heard in many places. This kind of situation provides quite a contrast to me, Christmas while it is 85 Deg F. T Shirt weather. I realize for people in many parts of the world this is normal but for someone that has always lived in the northeast USA it does seem unusual.
Upon my return home, just a few days after a freak snowstorm here that dumped 1 Ft. of snow, downed many trees etc. Fortunately I suffered no damage here but there was still snow on the ground and it was 32 Deg f. for the next several nights. Now that is something that puts me in the Christmas Spirit !
To me, that pic of you in this article with the Minda Claus hat, it is the hat that puts Christmas in the pic !
Count me in again this year Bob & Family, something is already on the way to you. I’ll be looking forward to the Minda Claus Christmas Ride Video again this year.
Bob, thank you so much, I received your donation. You know, it was the hot weather that got the whole Christmas giveaway started. I could not get into the Christmas spirit, and at the last minute decided to go give away hamburgers to homeless kids in Davao. We’ve done a giveaway every year since, and it certainly brings the Christmas spirit home! Thank you again, Bob.
Happy Christmas Bob & Family.
Hope ye have a good one and once again God bless you (the “bless you” part was left out in my donation words, lol, sorry about that) for your good work. Best regards to the families you meet.
Happy Christmas also to all you LIP readers and your families.
Jack
Merry Christmas, Jack, and thank you for your generosity! You have been a big supporter for many years now!
Hi Bob,
Ronny here again, I tried to transfer by Paypal (did that before for other purchases) but somehow I made a mistake somewhere ; they tell me I’ve linked my credit card to more than one account , don’t know how to correct that at this moment. If it’s okay for you just send me your personal account nr and name of the bank in my email address ([email protected]) and I will transfer the amount by bank. Sorry for the trouble !
Kind, cold (ha) regards,
Ronny
Bob,
I showed your site to my wife and told her about my past donations and she said of course we will donate. She lives in Pagadian City and we will be in Davao this year to spend Christmas. I know it is a busy time for you but if possible we would like to meet you for coffee or something. Hope you have a sucessful drive this year and keep up the good work. I hope the donation helps.
Steve
Hi Steve – Firstly, I received your donation, and I thank you very much for that! My book will be on it’s way to you as soon as it is ready, should be in December.
When you are in the area, I’d sure enjoy meeting you and your wife, no problem on that! Please keep me posted!
Hi Bob, I hope my donation helps some of the needy kids and family for the holidays.If we all donate, there could be a lot more cheer spread around. I hope I can donate more later, but thats all I can do now. Keep up your good work…..JCook
JC, your donation is greatly appreciated, and my new book will be on it’s way to you as soon as it is ready. Your donation will surely help some needy folks this Christmas!
Bob – You can count me in!
Thanks Henry!
Hey Bob
I just sent in a small donation to add to the pot, we have a few folks that we are helping this year in San Francisco AG Delsur so we have to spread our good will a bit thin. Hope it helps in a small way.
Hi Neal – Thank you for your donation! I didn’t find it small at all, I really appreciate it!