APCO’s Charitable Efforts in the last few months of 2019, is a Winner
By Richard J Ford-PRO - APCO Inc.
NSW-Australia
January 17, 2020
Some of the exhausted children pose with the helpers for a photo in front of the APCO Banner .
In September of 2019, Richard Ford and his lovely and supportive wife Dian, decided while attending a Niece’s wedding in Leyte, Philippines; decided they would do a Feeding Program on behalf of and with assistance from APCO Inc. for some of the poor children in their Barangay in Tacloban City, Leyte. The event was gratefully assisted by the Barangay 59A Councillor Bieman Penalosa and another officer Clemetino “Repadas Jnr and also other Barangay Helpers, with sponsor APCO Inc. being represented by Richard Ford PRO, Dian Ford Director and members of the Salgado Family and Friends.
L_R in white APCO Shirts, Dian and Richard Ford with Barangay 59A Councillor Bieman Penalosa in Orange Shirt pose with some of the many helpers for the Feeding Program.
The result was some 200 children were registered. The important part of the Program was of course the Feeding Program, with two dishes served along with drinks; firstly there was “Lugaw Arroz Caldo” or Filipino Chicken Rice Porridge, then secondly, Spaghetti Bolognese with sauce. The children loved it. The next part of the Program was the competitions involving Word Games, Singing and Dancing, of which the children were awarded prizes like Tim Tams, Chocolate, Toys and ₱20 (Pesos) for every participating winner.
L-R – Standing - Linda Price, Secretary, Rita Agostino, Treasurer, Joe Agostino, Ms Patricia Bull , Principal of Liverpool West Public School, Linda Trinidad, Violy Miguel, with Roberto Scilotto. And Cora Paras, APCO President (seated).
APCO Inc. has new ongoing programs to also help on the “ home front” starting with children in the local hospital Cancer ward in Liverpool Hospital and also helping one Public School where there are poor families struggling to provide a set of uniforms for some six (6) children to start the school year.
Led by the current President of APCO Inc., the Board of Directors donated funds raised to go towards sets of uniforms for 6 children at the local Public School, to help parents alleviate their expenses this coming start of the school term for 2020. A cheque was presented to the Principal of Liverpool West Public School , Ms Patricia Bull. This will give each family $100.00 to go towards a complete school uniform, which is a school hat, a school library bag, a pair of school shorts and T-Shirt. This is sorely needed for some poor families, in starting the new school term.
L - R –Standing - Rita Agostino Treasurer, Liverpool West Public School Principal, Ms Patricia Bull, Linda Trinidad, Violi Miguel, and APCO President Cora Paras. Sitting – Roberto Scilotto with in Front – Linda Price, Secretary.
The Children’s Cancer Ward at Liverpool Hospital was greatly surprised by the Christmas presents that were a great “morale booster” for those children suffering so much. Ms Shobna Wati, Manager, Children's Ward, Liverpool Hospital and Ms Patricia Malaquin of Donations and Finance Services, General Manager's Unit , Liverpool Hospital. The children were pleasantly surprised with the toys they received and their parents were also touched by the kind gesture at a time when families struggle to provide even a Christmas gift to their children.
Of course, none of this would have been possible without the help from APCO Inc. Board of Directors led by Cora Paras President, with the support of its members and affiliated members as well. Special mention must be given for the husband and wife team, Rita Agostino, Treasurer and her husband Joe, for organizing all the activities that help to raise to raise the charitable funds. Also a big thanks to our supportive Board Members, Linda Trinidad and her husband Robert Sacilotto, with our Secretary, Linda Price, who through the hot and wet weather were always there to help, also to all our members , who put their inputs , in other ways, big and small especially Larry and Cora Perez, thank you. To our Vice-President Jnr. and Senior Adviser, Jhun Salazar, there are not enough words that can and will suffice to let you know how much we treasure your Support, Advice, Words of Wisdom , Calmness and Faith all these trying times. You have been an inspiration and motivation to us all in the Filipino Community.
L- R – Liverpool Hospital A Ward Staff, Rita Agostino, Treasurer, Joe Agostino, Cora aras, APCO President , Linda Price, Secretary , Violy Miguel, Shobna Wati, Manager, Children's Ward, and Patricia Malaquin of Donations and Finance Services, General Manager's Unit , Liverpool Hospital.
Finally, with the past behind us APCO Inc. is now working hard with garage sales and sausage sizzles to help raise more funds , however small, to donate to the bushfire victims and the selfless and courageous firefighters . These are some small ways APCO Members can give back to the generosity of their adoptive country, Australia.
Maraming Salamat Po.
We hope 2020 will bring for us all a more peaceful and fruitful year.