THE Lourdes College and High School (LCHS) Batch 1995 recently launched its charity event "Meal for a Cause" for the benefit of children patients under the Leukemia Patients and Parents Organization Inc. (Leupapo Inc.).
The event, in partnership with Bucket O' Shrimp, would run for the entire month of August.
It also encouraged people to buy a meal ticket (plate-in, drinks not included, and non-convertible to cash) for P500 per person at the Bucket O' Shrimp in SM CDO Downtown Premier or in Cagayan Town Center branches that can be availed from Monday to Thursday.
According to Elvira Go, Bucket O'Shrimp proprietor, half of the P500 would go to the Leupapo Inc. patients, P100 to the LCHS Batch 1995, and P150 to the food.
"This is a charity event for Bucket O' Shrimp. At least, we can also help out than giving it to we don't know who will benefit. At least this has beneficiary," Go said.
"This is the first time we do charity. Actually, we do charity in the church, but now we wanted to go beyond the church by helping out those kids or those people who are really in need. That's why we have coordinated with DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development). We also have other government agencies with us so that they can also help out in really making this kids dreams come true," she added.
Leupapo Inc. founder Reczel Clarabal expressed emotional gratitude to the LCHS Batch 1995, Bucket O' Shrimp, DSWD, and Senator Bong Go (who sent gifts to the children during the launching activity) for their support and assistance to the organization.
"Kanang ‘Meal for a Cause’ nga dako kaayo ng katabang, ilabi na gyud sa Leukemia Patients and Parents Organization nga nanginahanglan og pag-amuma ug pagtabang aning mga bataa," Clarabal said.
"Sa kani nga nahitabo karon, dili gyud nako ni ikalimot nga dako gyud namo nga pasalamat. Sa kadugay sa panahon nga among giagwanta og giantos ang mga kasakit, mga kasubo, karon nadungog ra gyud ang among mga yango nga mga problema kaniadto," he added.
DSWD Undersecretary Aimee Torrefranca-Neri, who was present during the launching, said she was instructed by Senator Go to provide assistance to the kids under Leupapo Inc.
"Duol kaayo sa dughan sa atong senador ang mga bata, especially katong naay mga gipangbati nga bata. Instruction gyud niya sa akoa nga kung unsa ang ilang kinahanglan, ipaabot lang kay Senator Bong Go," Neri said.
"Akong gina-encourage, gina-convince nako ang katawhan, especially katong mga adunahan, nga unta ma avail nila ang dinner for a cause of Bucket O' Shrimp because for every meal na ilahang apalit is a savior to a one child," she added.
As proof of support, those who bought the P500 meal ticket would receive a mug that read "Fight, Believe, and Hope" with the hashtag #FightLeukemia.