Wednesday, May 07, 2008 PPC, Smart to hold outreach program
MABALACAT -- The country's grandest press club and the nation's leading wireless service provider team up to bring laughter and joy to abandoned, neglected, and abused children in this town on May 9.
The Pampanga Press Club (PPC) -- established in 1949 -- was tapped by Smart Wireless Communications (Smart) to reach out to about 40 orphans housed in a newly built orphanage here.
"Our aim is to work hand in hand with the local government, business sector, the media and non-government institutions in reaching out to the community," said Smart Communications head for public affairs Ramon Isberto.
"Through this activity, we hope to impart that vision with our local counterparts in Pampanga," he added.
The five-hectare orphanage in Barangay Mawaque here is being operated by Send The Light Ministry and supervised by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
PPC and Smart have also tapped Fontana Leisure Parks as a major partner in the outreach, along with Pampanga Arts Guild (PAG), Clark Development Corporation (CDC), Jollibee Clark, and Clark-based locator Hansa Toys International.
The whole-day activity will include arts appreciation and tour of the Clark Museum. This will be followed by art workshop to be conducted by PAG.
Highlighting the affair is a treat at the Fontana Fun Park where the orphans and their guardians will frolic in the world-class lazy pool, artificial wave, slides and fountain.
They will also be treated to games and iddie entertainment by Jollibee Clark. Hansa Toys, on the other hand, will be giving stuffed toys to each orphan.
Smart will also be distributing trolley bags with school supplies to the orphans as part of the surprises.
PPC director Noel Tulabut said the outreach project is meant to manifest the concern and care of both local media and corporate giant like Smart to marginalized sectors such as the orphans.
Tulabut added the project will be made an annual event and be institutionalized as PPC enjoins other entities, NGOs and the government sector to take active part in the charity work. (RGN)
