CEBU CITY – The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) shared its blessings with 100 abandoned and neglected children and youth under the care of Albert Schweitzer Familienwerk Foundation during the 12th day of its “Bayanihan: Pamaskong Handog ng PAGCOR 2012” on December 11, 2012.

The children hardly showed any trace of the sad experiences they have gone through when they joined the early Christmas celebration prepared by PAGCOR’s Casino Filipino Cebu branch for them. Apart from getting Christmas gift packs and school supplies, the children were also treated to a festive party complete with entertainment.

Casino Filipino Cebu also deployed workers to build a perimeter fence around the institution as part of the PAGCOR Pamaskong Handog’s bayanihan component. The state-owned gaming firm allocated half a million pesos for its gift-giving project for Albert Schweitzer Familienwerk Foundation.

“We are aware of the unhappy episodes that these children endure before the institution took them under its care. In our own little way, we want them to feel the joy of the Christmas season by presenting them with gifts. Inatasan kami ng aming butihing chairman at CEO na si Mr. Cristino Naguiat, Jr. na bigyang kasiyahan ang mga kabataang ito ngayong Kapaskuhan nang kahit na paano’y malimutan nila ang malulungkot na karanasang kanilang pinagdaanan,” said Casino Filipino Cebu General Manager Roque Cervantes.

Joining Cervantes in distributing Christmas gift packs to the beneficiaries were the officers of Albert Schweitzer Familienwerk Foundation and CF Cebu’s representative to the 2011 Miss Casino grand finals Jomalyn Enriquez.

According to foundation Executive Director Martiniana Mercado, getting Yuletide blessings from corporations like PAGCOR inspires them to further their noble objective of helping more miserable young souls attain a bright future through education.

“It is through events like this that we feel that we’re not alone in our effort to make these children realize that there are people who care for their welfare. We’re very thankful that PAGCOR chose to share its blessings with them this Christmas season,” Mercado explained.

Albert Schweitzer Familienwerk Foundation Philippines, Inc., also called “Children’s Haven” is a local chapter of Albert Schweitzer-Germany, a non-stock, non-profit and non-government organization. It was founded in 1997 by Mercado who was then Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Director through the support of Mr. Bernd Papke, former head of Albert Schweitzer-Germany.

The foundation’s shelter in Cebu City is home to orphaned, neglected and abandoned children. They are being fed and sent to school while the foundation works on their adoption papers. The institution also has a chapter in Cagayan de Oro which provides training and livelihood opportunities for women and youth.

Prior to the gift-giving event at Albert Schweitzer Familienwerk Foundation, PAGCOR’s Casino Filipino Cebu branch also reached out to 350 beneficiaries of Rise Above Foundation on December 10, 2012. The institution, which is operated by missionaries and volunteers coming from different countries and various walks of life, helps make life better for many underprivileged locals by teaching them livelihood activities such as making bags from recycled sacks, leather accessories like bracelets, earrings and greeting cards.

The beneficiaries of Rise Above Foundation were given gift packs containing various grocery items and toiletries, food, Yuletide gift packs and assorted school supplies. PAGCOR also fulfilled the institution’s wish to have new computer sets with chairs for their I.T. room which will be used to train poor children and out-of-school youths under their care.

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