CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Kapampangan Development Foundation (KDF) was one of the five National Awardees for Community Service (NACS) award given by the Rotary Club of Makati recently.
KDF was honoured for its community service to the poor people of Pampanga. KDF president Benigno Ricafort received the cash prize of P80,000 given to KDF.
The Rotary Club of Mabalacat nominated KDF for the prestigious award.
The NACS was started in 1970 by then Club Director Rafael "Paing" G. Hechanova who sold the idea to President Ford Tussing.
The awards were meant to recognize the good work that individuals or association do to serve the community over and above what they normally do. The first awardees chosen were Rosa Rosal for her work with the Red Cross, Dr. Florentino Solon, for his work in nutrition in the depressed areas of Cebu City and the Laoag Parish Center for its work in community development. Dr. Solon was eventually recognized by then First Lady Imelda Marcos and was designated as National Nutrition Commissioner.
The NACS project was carried for several years under various names but was discontinued only when the number of nominees decreased. The National Awards for Community Service made the RC of Makati well known throughout the Philippine Rotary world for its manifestation of dedication in community service.
KDF president Benigno Ricafort said the award is an inspiration for KDF to better in its social service programs in Pampanga and Central Luzon.
KDF was established by Kapampangans living outside of Pampanga to provide development, medical, and social programs for Pampanga. KDF, with its operations base at the Jose A. Datu Medical Center, has been able to facilitate the distribution of hundreds of leg prosthesis to amputees of Pampanga; provide dozens of reconstructive facial surgeries, and cataract operations to indigents.