LAST December 17, through the efforts of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)-Davao community relations team, 100 kids from Marahan West Elementary School were brought to SM City Davao for a fun day at the mall. The group was headed by school principal Christian Aubrey Dura.
“This will be the children’s first time to visit a mall. We are just as excited as the kids,” Harvey Malnegro of BJMP shared. The kindergarten to Grade 6 students from Marilog District travelled three hours to the city center. Most of them, proudly donned their traditional tribal garb.
Earlier, BJMP organized a benefit duathlon to raise funds for the Fun Day at the Mall. The sports event was able to cover for the kids’ meals and purchase of gifts from their wish list—school bags, shoes, umbrellas, toy cars, among others.
The children were welcomed with Bears of Joy by SM Cares volunteers led by assistant mall manager Engr. Warren Rey Bautista. The stuffed toys were donated by the shoppers and business partners of SM City Davao.
With their new toy bears wrapped in their arms, the kids watched Olaf’s Frozen Adventure at Cinema 3. “Hala, dako nga TV! (Wow, a huge television!),” the kids expressed their awe as they step in the dark theater and set eyes on the cinema screen for the first time.
The mall’s special guests also experienced riding the mall train and the carousel, a treat from SM Storyland; skate on Adventures on Ice, SM Davao’s Christmas attraction; as well as play in World of Fun.
“In SM City Davao, we make sure that every year, we bring cheers to everyone during Christmas season… especially kids. With the Bears of Joy campaign, we bring joy to the less privileged and at the same time, promote the value of charity among our shoppers and partners,” Engr. Bautista said.
SM City Davao’s other beneficiaries are communities identified by the City Social Service and Development Office and the Department of Social Welfare and Development XI.
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