God is truly awesome!
Today we received our 300th bear :) Above is the latest photo. For now, I wish to thank everyone who has so far contributed to the campaign -- JV Concepcion, a grade 5 boy from Ateneo de Manila whose mommy showed him the blog entry and so he was moved to donate 20 toy puppies (puppies are good too!) ; 20 bears from a friend of mine from HSBC Hongkong; 50 bears and assorted stuffed toys from Kats Fontanilla; another 20 bears from a dear friend who has always been supportive of our causes; several bears and stuffed toys from the Cosmos Bottling Corporation staff; bears from my husband's friend Amor Santiago; and another 20 from my good friend Andrea Trinidad's kids.
Andrea has been able to hook us up with Operation Compassion in Legazpi, together, we will help oversee the distribution of the bears on a date very close to Christmas (either December 22 or 23). Our prayer now is to hold a little salo-salo for the kids (almost a thousand of them) perhaps in one of the evacuation centers.
All day yesterday, I was worried about how I would get all the bears (and other furry friends) to Bicol and today the Lord answered my prayers. Through the help of our home church, Greenhills Christian Fellowship under the auspices of our churchmate Brother Mike Asperin, we will be transporting all 1000 bears for free to Legazpi on a PAF plane! God is truly wonderful and provides ALL the time.
Filipino associations in Manitoba, Canada and Sacramento, California are also getting together to send over some bears. I am amazed at the power of His hand when it moves the hearts of people everywhere. Please continue to keep those bears coming as we are still quite far from our target of 1000. Kindly forward this email to those whom you think would be interested to help us out.
What do we need?
Teddy Bears - new or clean and in good condition
OR friendly looking and cuddly stuffed toys that can be hugged by the children
We are also accepting art materials - notebooks, pens, pencils and crayons that we can pack and give to the children. In addition to play therapy, art therapy is also a proven effective tool in helping heal the children.
Where can you drop off the materials?
Quezon City -- 41 Milkyway Drive, Blue Ridge, Quezon City contact - 918-906-8852
Makati -- The Room Upstairs, 2nd floor, LRI Building, Nicanor Garcia (formerly Reposo), Makati City tel no. 899-9318
Alabang - Room 306, Medical Arts Building, Asian Hospital (clinic of Dr. Noemi Guloy)
Can we have the bears picked-up?
Some companies and schools are doing "bear drives" so yes, we can pick up a minimum of 30 bears from your school or office.
Do you accept clothing and other donations?
There is a call for children's clothing and snacks or food. Since we have space on the plane, we would also appreciate donations of these goods for the children.
A Thousand Bears for Bicol (TBB) is an exercise in watching the way God's hand works and seeing how wonderful and awesome He is in His kindness and faithfulness towards all of us. God cares for all the little children and is especially loving of widows and orphans. I know that through you, He cares for His children in Bicol. I pray that you allow yourself to be His vessel of love and kindness.
Thank you once again for spreading the word and God bless you all this holiday season.
Blessings and teddybear hugs to you all!
P.S. Tomorrow, meet our TBB mascot designed by my dear friend Sasha Garcia
6 comments:
I think this is wonderful! Not only for the kids, but for all those giving their bears. For me, It's like hugging these kids in Bicol myself.
I am from Unilever, and I'll spread the word in the office. Hopefully, I'll have a lot of bears by the end of this week.
Thank you very much! That is a beautiful insight :) Yes, I do hope that your officemates at Unilever can send over a hundred hugs to Bicol's children. God bless!
hi cathy. thank you for coming up with something like this. :) my sister and i dropped off 20 bears at the makati drop off point today. i will let my friends know about this too.:)
This is a great cause! I am from San Jose, California, just wondering if you have a contact here in California that I could get in touch with so I can start a drive in our office or church.
Thanks!
reposting this and will spread the word..will send bears too.
i'm a bicolana (naga city):)
Happy - Thank you so much for your gift of 20 bears - that will make a difference in 20 young lives Happy!
Dorothy Ann - Yes, I have a lady who lives in Sacramento who is organizing a bear drive for us as well. Please email me at cathybabao@gmail.com so I can give you the details. Thanks!
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