Let's Give Love This Christmas | Clare Henney

So much has happened since the last time I posted an entry on this blog. As much as I would want to blog about the things that have gone on recently, they just seem to be too shallow to dwell on at the moment considering what happened down south of the country due to typhoon Sendong. I’d love to complain about the traffic, the crowded malls and the stress of Christmas shopping but I know all that is trivial compared to what happened in Cagayan De Oro and Iligan. It is just so heartbreaking to hear of people waking up to chest-high waters. It’s sad to hear of entire families drowning because they weren’t awake when the waters rose and by the time they did it was too late.  While I am the type of person who loves the cold December air and loves rain, it really is a bit bittersweet to finally have it now after weeks of hot weather because I know that there are people who are feeling the chill with not enough clothes or blankets to keep them warm and no homes to be comfortable in. Things like this make you realize what’s important.  Everything can be taken away from you so fast…life is precious, we really need to make the most of it and value the things that really matter.  Of all the times to lose loved ones and to lose your home, it had to be during the Christmas season. My heart goes out to all the people affected by this tragedy. If anyone out there has clothes, food or cash to spare for our brothers and sisters who really need our help right now, please do send them over to the various organizations who are working hard to bring help to the people affected.

DSWD’s National Resource Operations Center (NROC) accepts donations. You can call 02-852-8081 (24 hours) or visit them at Chapel Road, Pasay City (back of Air Transportation Office).

You can also text RED AMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4143 (Smart), or make a donation to Red Cross at any Cebuana Lhuillier Pawnshop nationwide. I heard Philippine Airlines will ship donations for free, although I have no idea how we can send our donations to them. An alternative would be to send your donations to any LBC branch because LBC will be doing the same as well. Christmas is the time for giving and sharing our blessings. There’s no better time to do that than now. Let’s help in any way we can.