SM’s Early Christmas Treat
The traditional Christmas gift giving has started as SM security personnel headed by Customer Relations Services(CRS) Manager Joselito Isidro and other SM employees brought some gifts and food to Ninos Pagasa Center, also known as International Children’s Advocate Inc., in Old Cabalan Olongapo City.
Fifty Six (56) children and young adults with disability and deformities including their mentors were given early Christmas gifts.
Niño’s Pag-Asa Center is a non-profit and non-stock organization licensed by the Philippine government to serve impoverished children and young adults with disability and deformities to reach out to their special needs. This organization came into existence through the initiative of Anne Sweeney with Araceli H. Menor, Ninos Pagasa executive director, Lion Ong & wife Anne of Olongapo (Host) Lions Club in the year 1984.
“Despite their disability, these children and young adults are not a burden in our society, as a matter of fact, some of them are college graduates and others are still studying, they are independent,” Menor said in her speech. “We are thankful for you for waking up early to bring these gifts to our children. I hope you’ll enjoy the short program that we have prepared.”
This activity continues to put smiles on children’s faces and helps the volunteers connect to family, friends and lots of amazing people.
SM serves as a venue for donation drop offs for less fortunate children, where shoppers can share the spirit of Christmas to kids in government hospitals, indigenous communities, selected community day care centers and charitable institutions.
It can be recalled that SM has its “Bears of Joy” project, with just a simple purchase of a stuffed bear worth Php 200 at any SM branch, SM Cares will give one also to the children of their chosen beneficiary, giving them a chance to feel the warmth of the season with just a small gesture. “It’s all about the gift of giving this holiday season, from your family to your friends, colleagues and acquaintances, everybody’s got a small token of love for somebody else. SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Prime, gives a chance to those less fortunate to receive their own special gifts-SM” (PR-SMOL)
