Rover Scout Hannah Pabalan collaborates with Civil Military Operations Group--Philippine Navy, BSP Commnet Circle 7, and Pasig City Rover Scoutsone with her project entitled ‘’Show Love in a Shoebox: The Art of Giving in the Middle of Pandemic’’.

Background of the Project

Year 2020 has been a tough year for us. Many lives were greatly affected by the deadly impact of coronavirus. Recently, here in the Philippines, a lot of people lost their properties due to Typhoon Ulysses, especially those who are residing in Marikina City.

Some residents managed to evacuate as rushing flood waters entered their houses, but others had to climb up or swam to their neighbor’s rooftops for temporary refuge.

Considering these things, RS Hannah Pabalan, together with her team conducted a charity project to share and give love this Christmas season in the middle of pandemic that we are facing. They aim to bring back the joy, and wonderful smiles of the children in the city of Marikina by giving them shoeboxes full of love and care. This initiative is originally inspired by Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child Box.  ''I used to be a receiver of this charity foundation’s gifts when I was a child. Not all Fillipino children receive shoeboxes, so why not adopt it locally? Based on my experience, receiving a box full of random stuffs can make a child happy,'' Hannah said.

‘’Show Love in a Shoebox’’

Scout volunteers, as well as youth volunteers helped Hannah initiate this project. They created a donation drive, an art bazaar, and all of them donated, as well as encouraged others to donate shoeboxes also.

Civil Military Operations Group—Philippine Navy also supported this initiative. The Philippine Navy Soldiers turned over 300 food packs, and their team collected 300 shoeboxes to be given in three barangays in Marikina: Kalumpang, Malanday, and Tumana.

‘’The Art of Giving in the Middle of Pandemic’’

This initiative pushes youth volunteers to band together, and use what they have to reach out the affected families in the said city. The creativity of each volunteer will also be unleashed through handicraft making. 

On December 19, 2020, limited number of youth volunteers gathered for the handicraft making event. Everyone was given the chance to unleash their creativity through the making of bracelets. In line with the project’s title ‘’The Art of Giving in the Middle of Pandemic’’, the finished handicraft will be included inside the shoeboxes. The night was spent by wrapping the donated toys, school supplies, clothes, and hygiene stuffs; repacking the food packs, and arranging the shoeboxes by gender. As the Project Head, Rover Scout Hannah Pabalan challenged each volunteer about the true essence of giving. The background of the project was also mentioned on her short motivational speech. They were given the time to sing their original Christmas song, as well as the chance to know each other.

Day of Distribution

The gift-giving event was conducted in two consecutive days. Due to strict protocols implemented by the Philippine Government, Christmas party is not allowed. Some volunteers ushered the beneficiaries on receiving the shoeboxes, and food packs. Social distancing is practiced, and everyone was reminded to wear facemasks, and face shields. The children were asked to open their shoeboxes, and all of them were happy with the gifts they have received.

There is joy in giving. You cannot give without love, and you cannot love without giving. It is probably better to receive, but giving will always be the best; let us end this year with positivity and hope. We will rise by lifting others.