OK, OK, I know that a lot of you have been waiting to hear about the give-away of Christmas food, candy and toys that Feyma and I conducted last week! I am sorry that I didn’t post about it immediately after the give-away, but I really wanted to take a little break, and spend more time with my family last week. I hope you all understand.
First, let me say that the Christmas funds drive was a great success. This was the first year that I asked for any donations toward this cause, and the response was far greater than I expected. You folks who are reading this really opened up your wallets, and extended great generosity toward the event, and I know in my heart that a lot of people really came to appreciate that when they sat down for probably the best meal they had eaten in 2008.
Before getting started with how it all went, let me say that when I asked for donations, my goal that I had in mind was $2,000 toward the event. That was my goal. My expectation was that it would be good if we could raise $500. We got donations from 28 different people. Donations ranged from $5 up to $500! All donations were greatly appreciated. I can honestly say that when I got an e-mail that $500 had been donated by a single person, I almost fell out of my chair, it was much more than I expected. There were a lot of $100 contributions, and many for $50, $20, etc. too. I had hoped that a larger number would contribute, but the amount raised was more than I expected, and that is what puts food in people’s mouths, so that is the most important. The total amount of donations was a little shy of the $2,000 goal that I had set, but relatively close.
At the time that I asked for donations, we did not know where we would go to distribute the contributions. Randy left a comment suggesting that we distribute the items on Samal Island, which sounded good to me. However, after reflecting on it, we decided against that. The reason is that we spend a lot of time on Samal (obviously!), and most people there know us, and recognize us. If we go there and give out a ton of free food, we fear that it will be expected whenever people see us. This could really limit our enjoyment of Samal Island, and thus we decided to go elsewhere. In the end, we settled on a trip to the Marilog District, and Buda, in the mountains Northwest of Davao. There is a lot of poverty up there, and it is also a large area, not relatively small like Samal.
We like to do the distributions of these gifts on Christmas Eve day, because if we were to give it earlier, we think that the food would be eaten early, and it is our hope that the food will provide a good Noche Buena Christmas Celebration for the families that receive the items. So, at 8 am on December 24, we loaded up the truck, and also our SUV (it took two vehicles to haul all the goods) and headed out! Our first stop was to pick up our good friend, Robert Bula. Robert is a Filipino from Davao, but has been living in the States for decades. He has been a regular reader of a number of my blogs for years now, and he made a contribution toward the food giveaway, and also asked to come along with us (Robert is in town for vacation right now). Robert turned out to be the official photographer for the event (Robert is a serious photography hobbyist).
We headed up toward Marilog and had made two stops to give out gifts when a bit of a problem struck! The truck had a blowout! The right front tire went totally flat, and turned out to have a gash in the side from a sharp rock along side the road. It took a couple hours due to a number of issues, but we finally got the tire changed, and were on the road again to spread good cheer and gifts from LiP readers. This week, we’ll need to buy a new tire for the truck, as that tire was damaged beyond repair.
We all really enjoyed giving out the food gifts. In all, we had 70 large packs of food, enough to serve an entire family a good Christmas Meal. We also had 150 bags of toys and candy for children. Additionally, we distributed 50 pounds of pork, and about 30 chickens to the poor. We also gave out 20 huge tins of Christmas Cookies.
In addition to this, we also gave $250 to Father Franco, our Italian Priest Friend in Bukidnon. Father held a big Christmas Party for the native kids in his area. In all, 100 kids were served Arrozcaldo (a dish made with chicken and rice), Binignit (a dish made with fruits) and other items. The 100 kids also enjoyed games and other activites, and were awarded prizes if they did good in the games. Father reported to me that it was indeed a great party for the kids, and they really enoyed themselves a lot!
I want to thank each and every one of you who participated in this event. Without your generosity, these people would have had a rather bleak Christmas. There were old people who shed plenty of tears when they got what we gave them, it really warmed our hearts so much. We felt really good about what the LiP community did for these less fortunate people!
Please scroll down for a group of pictures from the event. You can also see a larger group of photos by going to the Gallery. I am sorry to report that before going out to give the gifts , we were so busy loading all the stuff and preparing everything that we forgot to bring the video camera this year! So, I am sorry that there is no video to share this time, but I hope that you enjoy the photographs.
Again, thank you to everybody who contributed to this worthy cause!
Bob, I think what you and Feyma are doing every Christmas is really a wonderful thing. I am sorry i was not able to help as I help poor children in another way. My good friend Fred Stockwell is a retired photographer and he is over in Burma helping a equally desperate situation over there. I help him by updating this site I have created when he sends me an update. He is due to send another soon.. http://www.eyestoburma.org/
Peace on earth and god bless everyone, happy new year to all…
Dave
Bob,
That's a very good thing you and Feyma did. Those kids looked like they needed some food. Hopefully next year you will be able to help more kids. We helped one family this year with food, as donations were down from last year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year form our family to yours. Kevin and Jaycee
Hi Bob – good to see the photos, and of course hear of the positive results of your efforts. I can understand the reasoning behind not choosing Samal, but thanks for considering it.
You make a great Santa, but you need to get the suit and beard out next year 🙂
Bob: good call on Samal… I agree, it may have presented problems for you in the future. A small kindness can change people's lives for the better. The little joy you brought those people will always be remembered by them. Big pat on the back for you and Feyma.
Great job Bob, Feyma, the rest of the distribution crew and all the supporters. It's a great thought that you had here and agreat way you put it in action … to many ideas like this, especially in the Philippines, wind up with so many rules, regulations, organizers and overseers that there's nothing left for the poor people.
Good for Ameruicans like me to read this too … we get caught up in our issues like 'my house is worth $200K less thna last year" or "My 401K is down 40%" compplaints and thus forget hpw many people in the world don't even have enough to eat … we have so. so ,uch, it's good to share.
Glad to hear that everyone had a good time and enjoyed it Bob ….Phil n Jess
Hi Bob,
How wonderful that everything turned out so well. Obviously it was well planned out.
I am sorry that I was unable to donate but my brothers and sisters in the Rotary Club shook me down pretty good in the beginning of December for the local seniors nursing home. They are wonderful people but merciless when it comes to a shake down. 🙂 🙂
I will save some cash for you for next year now that I know that you do this kind of thing every year!!!
Happy New Year to you and your family. I hope that 2009 will being you peace and prosperity.
Tyleen
🙂
Hi Bob!
You have already received many thanks from the people that you helped but Marie and I wanted to thank you and Feyma for allowing us to help from afar. We were very happy when we saw the pictures and even felt a bit connected. I especially liked the smile of the little girl in the center of the picture entitled "Happy kids ready for Christmas". Have a great new year.
Tom and Marie
Hi Bob. Great contribution you have made there. Sorry I fell short this year,but will be better prepered next, however I already have an extended family that I try to help as much as my finances will allow. Especially at this time of year I know that it is appreciated. Yes it makes me as happy to assist, as they are to receive. Happy New Year to ALL. Guy
Will catch you on your next Santa ‘impersonation’ trip, Bob. I have made a commitment to my sister in Leyte to help out with her doctor bills and fix her living situation –it is a disaster!
How fortunate are we and my countrymen to have people like you and Feyma who truly care. Thank you both for being YOU!
Hi, Bob! Is there a way to send a big, big hug to you , your wife, and donors to say thank you for your generosity and kindness? Cyberspace would do at the moment: here goes………did you feel my arms around you, Feyma and the donors? Of course you did! Regards, Hill
Hi Bob- Well done and what else can I say. You know how much giving to the needy is one of our main concerns and only by being committed can you be successful
All the best.
Jim.
hi Bob , it is GREAT what you did , and when i see the pictures i have tears in my eyes.
I did not donate to you , because my family in law is also poor and i spend it on them.
2 day,s before X Mas , we send 400 EURO [ $ 600] to my wife,s cousin , and on
cristmas eve , my wife was almost 1 hour on the phone to explaine how to divide
it.
It,s her father , 4 brothers [ can not read , or speak english ] and 5 sisters who
work day and night at the market , and then maybe 30/40 children .
And i am sure their faces where the same as the children on you pictures.
and Bob , people here can not understand when i tell them about it , or sometimes even don,t believeit.
But we know .
Thank you for doing those things and by the time i retire in iligan ,
i allready know i will do the same.
Gr.Anton
The pictures say it all Bob, you, Feyma and your family really extended the meaning of Christmas to those who may have had little, if anything for Christmas otherwise. A nice touch with the MindaClause hats too ! Something I am sure those children will remember for a long time. Good Show Bob amd count me in as a contributor again next year.
Bob,
As I have followed LiP for so long, I have so much admiration for you and how you give back to the community and country we live. Hip Hip Hurray for you.
Hi, Bob and Feyma!
It's so nice to have real Santa Clauses that the less-fortunate can truly count on to be happy this Christmas! As a Filipino, you have my warmest and sincerest gratitudes for getting out of your way to help our needy fellow Filipinos especially when hard times lie ahead.
And, Wow! I noticed the village you visited looks so green and beautiful. Although these people may have nothing much materially, at least they can be proud of their green and beautiful surroundings!
God Bless you! 🙂
Hi Bob- Whatever you do for Bethany will be very much appreciated.
Best wishes.
Jim.
Hi Bob,
I will donate for next years give away. I am happy to do it and feel no obligation but I do feel great about it.
I wish you and your family a fabulous 2009
congratulations on the giveaway, bob. my wife & i enjoyed viewing the gallery pics. many of us talk about the problems around us but never really do anything about it. i am inspired by you.
it's too bad that i was not able to contribute my share, but hopefully i can in the future. if i'll ever be in davao, i'd love to come along & help out.
Bob,
Thank you for remembering. I wish I could do more and get more to help. Just like my favorite Charity here is Field of Dreams. I wish I could help find them a corporate Endowment, but I am just a simple foreigner without much connections.
Hey Bob, this is Robert Bula's grandson, here in the United States. I just wanted to thank you for letting my grandfather come along with you. I'm happy to see that my grandpa had a blast taking all of these pictures and I'm sure that he felt good about doing this for the people you distributed the goods to. Great pictures! He's been telling me all about the giveaway that you planned. If there were a lot of people such as yourself, the world could be a better place. I'm glad to see that my grandpa is doing well also.
Thanks Bob.
more than the gifts of food and toys, is the gift you gave of yourselves. you touch our hearts.
Hi bob, you hit me up for a donation this christmas if you plan this again god bless your heart.
cliff
Hi Bob,
Yeah I hope when the economy here in the US is better then I can accompany grandpa next time during my winter break. That would be really cool to do, and be my grandpa's sidekick photographer. Just wondering, did he bring two cameras? He often does that to places to we go to, haha.
Hi Cliff – I'll keep you in mind for next year! Nice to see you the other day!
Hi Ryan Bula – Yeah, I always see Robert with multiple cameras! He is a real pro! I think, though, he only had one with him on the trip!
Hi Bob
I moved here to San Carlos Negros Occidental in Oct. with my G/F and i try to read when i can on this site. We also did something similar but on a smaller scale as i felt i could help some people. We gave away food baskets to 85 families here and we did it for 11,000 peso's. At home i could never do this but here with the rate and living costs it was possible so Cathy got a list of people she knew who could use help and we packed enough for a meal. We put in rice,noodles,sardines,3in1 coffee and a bag of juice mix and some candy for the kids and adjust how much by family sizes. There were many happy familys and street people and it was a better feeling than i have had in awhile. Thanks for the great site.
Jim
Hi Jim – I am very happy for you. When we got started doing this giveaway, we put in about a similar amount of money as you did this year. I am sure that yours will grow too. It really is a nice way to get into the Christmas Spirit, and feel really a good feeling!