JEDDAH, 6 August 2003 — If you have used clothes, shoes or bags to spare, consider donating it to the Charity for Handicapped Children (CHP). Organized by Filipino workers in Jeddah recently, the group aims to be a link between individuals, families and business establishments in the Kingdom on one hand and handicapped children and victims of natural calamities in the Philippines on the other.
“The vision of the Charity for Handicapped Children (CHP) is also to raise money to help physically and mentally disabled children at home,” said Greg Leynes Jr., the prime mover and chairman of the fledgling organization.
Leynes said CHP will ship all donations in kind to the Philippine National Red Cross in Manila for distribution to distressed families.
Proceeds from its fund-raising project will be earmarked for the Philippine Band of Mercy, a Manila-based humanitarian organization founded in the late 30s by philanthropist Irving S. Hart.
Leynes said CHP chose to tie up with the PNRC and PBM because of their wide reach and experience in choosing those who really need help.
PBM’s beneficiaries for the past 63 or so years are the sick and disabled who come from poor families. Six out of 10 of its beneficiaries are from depressed areas all over the Philippines, and seven out of 10 are children.
It also works hand in hand with other charity and non-government organizations. For cancer patients, for instance, it has a partnership with the Philippine Cancer Society, Inc. It continues to search for patients who may need cleft lip/palate operation, treatment of blindness, orthopedic cases and burn victims.
Although CHP has yet to be formally introduced, numerous members of the community in Jeddah have already thrown in their support. As of Monday, the group had collected 200 kilograms of used clothes and shoes and many more pledges have been made.
Business groups have also pitched in. Sky Freight Forwarders has offered to ship the clothings to the PNRC in Manila; Ay Sarap Fastfood and Catering Services at the Industrial City, a division of Al-Bural Establishment and headed by Ronald Mangua, is providing cash; and Coca Cola is donating 10 cases softdrinks and children coloring booklets and crayolas through Anthony Ferraris; King Abdullaziz Hospital has given two big cartons with used clothes weighing more than 150 kilograms through Finah Bueno.
Special Event
On Friday, CHP will hold a one-day festival of sorts, featuring jumble sales, sing-along contests, a public speaking seminar and workshop, dance and martial arts lessons, as well as chess and scrabble contests at the Bader International School (BIS) in Rowdah district.
Performing for the occasion are the Wildcat (Shorin-Rhu Katedo) Federation headed by Nonoy Gacola, the Ice Castles Cultural Dance group of Norie Bargamento, and Jose Povathinkal (Indian Cultural Dance). There will be a musical performane, featuring Eric, J.R. and Danny.
Leynes said everyone is invited to attend the event, scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. “Bring with you family members and friends,” Leynes said, adding that the festival could serve as an opportunity for parents to show to their children the value of giving and sharing while at the same time enjoying the fun.
BIS is located beside the concrete barrier adjacent to Khalediyah Street across Donut Magic and Le Chalet in Rowdah district.
Leynes, a certified public accountant at Tamer Group and a member of the Toastmasters Club of Jeddah, said he thought of organizing the CHP while working on his Toastmasters Advanced Leadership project and Distinguished Toastmasters (DTM) title.
Part of the training of Toastmasters International members is to do something worthwhile for their community.
Leynes could be contacted at tel. no. 644-0099 ext. 402, mobile no. 052-585076, or e-mail him at [email protected].
