NSFA, Panacan, Davao City – The Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom), led by LtGen. Greg T. Almerol formally handed over the cash donation it raised for the House of Hope (HOH) Foundation for Kids with Cancer Inc. at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Davao City on July 8.
The visit and handover ceremony, dubbed “Sharing is Caring, Spread HOPE through Gift Giving,” was made possible through the support of the Kiwanis International Districts 7 and 8.
During the program, LtGen. Almerol, with his wife, Ms. Lynette Almerol, handed over a check worth P334,623.50 to the HOH Foundation through its President, Ms. Fatima-Inderah Disomimba, and its Secretary, Mr. Roy Crecencio Linao. The beneficiary children and their parents also witnessed the ceremonial handover.
The Command raised the donation through a “Golf-for-Cause” held last June 25. LtGen. Almerol said he personally selected the House of Hope as a beneficiary to support medication for kids with Cancer, which he said is his advocacy.
In his message, the EastMinCom Commander motivated the children to be positive and courageous in dealing with their current challenges, adding that they are inspirations to people who also are dealing with their own battles in life.
“Ang matag-usa kaninyo inspirasyon gayod kanamong tanan. Ang inyong istorya sa kinabuhi nahisulat sa usa ka espesyal nga pamaagi kung aha daghan ang ma-inspire ug sa susamang paagi nagahatag ug positibong panlataw sa kinabuhi (Each of you inspires us all. Your life story is written in a special way that inspires many and in the same way gives a positive outlook on life.),” he said.
He also thanked the sponsors, stakeholders, and the HOH Foundation for supporting the initiative.
Prior to the hand over ceremony, Kiwanis International conducted games and interactions to entertain the children followed by the distribution of toys, food packs and other supplies. They likewise handed over a check worth P12,000.00 to the foundation.
Meanwhile, Mr. Roy Crecencio Linao thanked LtGen. Almerol and EastMinCom for heeding their call to help the children.
“We have been blessed and fortunate that many have heeded our call to help these children afflicted with this deadly disease. Among those who responded and supported us in this endeavor are the men in uniform,” he said.
Dr. Sheryl Lyn Diez, Chief Training Officer of SPMC; Mr. Eduardo Tesorero and Ms. Lui Lorna Go, current and past Lieutenant Governors of Kiwanis Division 7; Ms. Weng Gumanit, Lieutenant Governor of Kiwanis Division 8, together with her co-officers; and other officials from the HOH Foundation were also present during the ceremony.
Physical distancing and other health protocols were observed during the whole program to ensure the safety of the beneficiary children and other attendees from COVID-19.
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