SM Supermalls Christmas: CHRISTMAS BEARS OF JOY AT SM CITY BACOLOD

GOD loves a cheerful giver and the giver is also gifted with much cheer and joy. When Christmas is in the air, generous souls can smell the fragrant opportunity to share their blessings with others in need. Opportunities for giving are plentiful and it is just a matter of choosing a favorite charity or cause.

After all, there are so many causes to support, too many charity cases to contribute to, and countless people in need awaiting a little blessing. Remember, we neither can save nor feed the whole world but we can save one person, one animal, or one tree at a time.

To make a suggestion, SM City Bacolod is campaigning to support the children of Kalipay Negrense Foundation, Inc. Anyone in society can give donations and these donations will help the homeless, the malnourished, the sexually and physically abused, the out-of-school youth, and the special children sheltered by Kalipay. Kalipay’s aim is to bring joy to disadvantaged children.

Disadvantaged children. Who are they? They are the 1.6 million street children in the Philippines of whom 60,000 are prostituted. They’re the 6 million children who are malnourished. They’re the 28 children arrested every day. In our province, 3 children are rescued daily on the average.

“Jemma” describes her young life: “I was living in the streets, a rugby addict. My father was dead. My mother a prostitute. At a very young age, my siblings and I were sold in the flesh trade by relatives.“ Jemma’s story is replicated often.

SM takes part in Kalipay’s goals through its SM City Bacolod Christmas Centerpiece Launch at the Event Center last November 10. Its theme, Christmas Isn’t Christmas Without Sharing, aptly provides the motivation for everyone who has even just a little to spare. It was a fun-filled event showcasing the talents of Kalipay’s beneficiaries.

The Kalipay children danced to the delight of the crowd. The girls looked prim and proper in their printed long-sleeved tops with jaunty ribbons at the collar. Proudly looking on was Kalipay Chairman Anna Balcells who was beaming in her seat. (Anna and some concerned friends started Kalipay Negrense Foundation, Inc. in 2007.) She would later tell me of one particular girl who is now doing so well in school. It means that when given the right environment and love and support, abused children who have only known poverty, crime and pain can get past through these and enjoy victorious living.

The partners and projects of this foundation are Haven Children’s Home (Bacolod City), Calvary Kids Home (Bacolod City), Recovered Treasures Children’s Home (Bago City), Gawag Kalinga-Balcells Hope Village (Talisay City), and Angel’s Workshop (Don Salvador Benedicto Town). The Board of Trustees are John I. Gayoso (Vice-Chairman), Belinda U. Tanpinco (Treasurer), Sylvia M. Campos (Secretary), with Emilio L. Abello VI, Atty. Lyndon P. Cana, and Atty. Joselle Batapa as Members of the Board.

Apathy towards the needy will only worsen the situation and these children, if not rescued, will become the future generation of drug addicts, petty thieves, murderers, hardened criminals or prostitutes. They will certainly become a burden to society. We would have mentally, physically and spiritually sick people amidst us. We can help save ourselves and our country by saving these children.

For donations through SM City Bacolod, get in touch with the Marketing Department or call (034)4680209 and (034)4680168. Don’t forget: when you sow sparingly, you also reap sparingly.