Ukay-ukayan sa Tugkaran sa Freeman

Items that have been stored in your closets/attics/bodegas/warehouses/barns, etc. for more than a year are merely taking up space and making it difficult to find the other things you need. So we ask you to please do away with those “don’t quite fit”, “not exactly new” and “way too good to throw away” items.

Donate them ALL for the “Ukay-ukayan sa Tugkaran sa FREEMAN” project which is slated in June. Proceeds will all go to The FREEMAN Foundation, the heart of  The FREEMAN Newspaper that caters to the medical needs of sick, indigent children.

Cleaning out your closets/attics/bodegas/warehouses/barns, etc. can lighten your load and allow you the pleasure of knowing you are helping to meet the needs of others – most especially children – a wonderfully liberating experience.

Designated drop-in areas are our Circulation office, please look for Faith Maroto or Dick Batucan; our Advertising office, look for Andy Padigos, Arlene Villacrucis or Janet Montenegro; Admin office, look for Jess Padin or Joy Nacua; Production and Editorial offices, look for Edizza Wenceslao or Cahms Allego, Wenna Berondo or Garry Lao, Debbie Duraliza or Joeberth Ocao or this writer.

We will also collect donated items provided you will arrange for exact date and time and pick-up area within the city. Please call 2550926 and ask for assistance from any Core Group member. Or you may also contact this writer at 2554263 local 238 (5 p.m. – 6 p.m. only). We are not sending any representatives from The FREEMAN Foundation, so please beware of con artists. Demand for immediate patient care and other related services heaps up everyday at the Foundation. Much as it would like to assist more patients whose welfare is its concern, its reputation is threatened by a number of conmen out with their dirty schemes, “fixers” who are out to prey on financial assistance handed over to aid recipients.

So please report to us people who are wrongly representing the Foundation so we could take appropriate actions against them. You may contact our general manager, Melandro “Bhoy” Mendoza or our Foundation administrator, Doc Remy Bacasmas. 

Why children?

The Foundation, like religious orders, has its “charism.” We believe in the power of children. Given sound health programs, our children could become active community partners. But many children’s rights are violated. A number has to deal with broken families. Many are affected by social injustice and widespread corruption even in the education system, tired of seeing family members exported to some foreign labor forces. Our children are now beginning to question what kind of future they will have under a government that is not even so sure of its directions; and doubtful to nurture patriotic pride with this nation’s political and economic systems adrift and decaying.

The Foundation loves children. We look at them as future writers and editors; the next publishers, accountants, comptrollers, COOs and CEOs. But much as we desire to shield them from the harshness of the real world, we can only do so much.

Their needs vary from financial assistance for daily medications and hospital bills, to chemotherapy and replacement of VP shunt and assistance for operation.

The rummage/garage sale

As cash is hard to come by these days, and we do understand that you are also saving for the rainy days, we are asking you to be part of the “Ukay-ukayan…” project by donating any household item you might not need anymore.

Proceeds of this rummage/garage sale slated in June in front of our Star Building will all go to the Foundation to also help sustain our special projects such as the “Balik Eskwela and Fun Day”. Most of the time our children are seen, but never heard. In mountain barangays, there are UST schools – UST for “under the sambag tree.” While the national government is boasting of cybereducation, our project aims to put the message across that schoolchildren in remote barangays need school buildings and desks and error-free textbooks, free school supplies, and additional competent teachers more than they need your “Wi-Fi gadgets”.

Additional work

Aside from special projects, the 16-man Core Group will now be handling events for The FREEMAN and Banat News in cooperation with this paper’s Ads and Promo team - a feat gained through trust; a byproduct of over three years of working as a team.

We would like to renew ties with YOU - our patrons/donors/sponsors/benefactors. Please walk with us again, this year, the proverbial extra mile and help our children connect with their dreams.