Last month, De La Salle University and College of Saint Benilde opened the Razon Sports Complex and covered courts, respectively, to the homeless.
Wanting to make their guests more comfortable in their temporary shelter, the Green Archers of La Salle banded together to raise funds for them.
Lady Shuttlers team captain Iyah Sevilla initiated a donation drive called Stronger Together. Needing help with this campaign, she called on the other captains of La Salle’s varsity teams.
“Because we’ve been seeing news from TV and social media that DLSU and CSB have opened their gates for the individuals and families affected by COVID-19,” recalled Sevilla, who steered La Salle to a runner up finish in the UAAP Season 82 Women’s Badminton Tournament.
“So sabi ko po na why not make a donation drive to help our guests? Nag-agree naman po most of the captains.”
Responding to her call were Lady Tanker Ace Agustin and Lady Fencers Pat Eusebio and Nicole Alcaraz. The latter two were part of the foil team that won gold in UAAP Season 82 Women’s Fencing.
“We were lucky ’cause several other athletes volunteered to help us with the process like making the pubs and arranging the in-kind donations,” shared Agustin, who also expressed her gratitude to the school’s Office of Sports Development for helping push this project.
“It has really been a team effort.”
As of April 16, the group has raised PHP 10,400, which went directly to the Arnold Janssen Kalinga Center.
“As Lasallian athletes, we were always blessed and supported by the people around us,” said Sevilla. “Siyempre sobrang saya po to see the faces of the people we were able to help through the pictures that were being sent to us.
“Very overwhelmed and fulfilled po ang feeling namin right now.”
But more is still needed for over 100 hundred people residing in both venues. That is why the group is asking for more help — including goods like rice, canned goods, bread, biscuits, and drinking water.
“The smallest action would be of much help, of course. We would appreciate if people donated cash or in-kind goods, but we also appreciate the smallest action of sharing our cause on social media and to their friends in order to get the word out,” said Agustin.
For cash donations, Stronger Together’s bank accounts are the following:
BPI
Account name: Ailsa Paz P. Agustin
Account number: 0239120075
UCPB
Account name: Mariya Anghela Sevilla
Account number: 10120009370
Gcash
09274706916
*Photo of deposit slip can be sent through Facebook: StrongerTogether (@ST4COVID19) or through email ([email protected])
Inquiries for goods donations, on the other hand, can be sent through the Facebook page or through email.
