Annapolis Rotaract's Children of the Philippines Project 2012!

New Items needed! December 19th, 2011

HEY GUYS, we are almost done collection youth charitable donations for the Philippine orphanages. Below are the items that we are still in need of:

- crayons
- new coloring books
- pencils and writing/drawing pads
- used/new Barbie Dolls
- can foods (vienna sausage, spam, soups)
- peanut butter and jelly (plastic jars only, NO GLASS)
- candies and lollipops
- powdered drinks, koolaid packets

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

(Picture below is from last months shipment)

2012 Children of the Philippines Project

Hello all! My name is Keith Villones and I am with the Annapolis Rotaract Club. This will be my 3rd goodwill trip to the Philippines where for the past 4 years, I have brought food, clothing and other much needed supplies to some depressed areas of the Philippines.

For my upcoming project in 2012 "Children of the Philippines", I will be concentrating my efforts on several orphanages located in the capital of Manila, who are in desperate need of the following supplies. In the months leading up to my trip, the Annapolis Rotaract will be collecting these supplies to be shipped via freight, just in time for my arrival mid summer 2012. If you would like to help, please drop off your donated items at my work "Zachary's Jewelers" located on the corner of Main Street in downtown Annapolis OR call me for a convenient pick up (443-695-2671). I thank you for your support and as you can see from the pictures below, these children are always grateful for the Annapolis Rotaract club and the city of Annapolis.

SUPPLIES NEEDED (Deadline: February 2012)
- New or used youth summer clothing (Ages 1-14)
- New or used toys (Barbie dolls, matchbox cars, action figures are their favorites)
- Story books, puzzles, coloring books/crayons and youth encyclopedias
- Nutritional drink suppliments (Canned juices & powdered Pediasure)
- Basic toiletries
- Canned foods and non perishable foods (boxed pasta, raisins, spam, peanut butter, popcorn, dried fruits, rice, vienna sausage and “non melting” candy like lolly pops
- School Supplies (Writing/drawing pads, colored pencils, pens, etc.)
- Youth baseball caps, socks and shoes in fair condition
- Bed Linens
- MEDICAL/FIRST AID SUPPLIES: Child & infant multivitamins, Topical medications, Sterilization solutions, Antifungal agents, Antidiarrheals, Antibiotics, Antacids, Electrolyte solutions - oral, Thermometers, Gloves (exam & surgical), Gauze/ Bandages, First Aid supplies, Disinfectants

2010 "Balikbiyan" Box Project

I am happy to report that the second "Balikbiyan" Philippine Box Project was a huge success! This is a project of the Annapolis Rotaract & Rotary Club. We nearly tripled the number of boxes sent this year compared to 2008's trip and a total of 11 boxes filled with donated clothing, toys and food were distributed to the villagers of Talavera, Philippines. It took roughly 1 year to collect all the donations and prep the boxes for shipping overseas. I would like to thank my friends & family, fellow Rotaractors/Rotarians, and the downtown Annapolis business community for helping me fill these boxes with your donations. I wish everyone could have experienced the joy that day and as you can see from the pictures below, the villagers were extremely grateful.- Keith Villones (Annapolis Rotaract Member)

Rotaract "Balikbayan" Box Program (2008)

(Balikbiyan Project- 2008)
For the months of planning and some very heavy lifting, I can report back that the Annapolis Rotaract's 1st international program was a huge success! I would like to thank those who generously made donations and also thank those in Rotary/Rotaract who helped me make my dream a reality.

For those of you who are not familiar with Annapolis Rotaract or with the term "Balikbayan", let me explain. The Filipino term "Balikbayan" means simply to "return back home". It is customary in our culture, for a returning Filipino-Americans or "Fil-Am" to bring home gifts/donations to those we left behind. In past trips with my father, we would be lucky to fill just one box of donated clothes, canned meats and children toys/candy. With the help of my new Annapolis Rotaract Club, we were able to ship a total of 5 boxes! (And we didn't stop there) I had so many donations that it flooded into my personal luggage/carry-on, to the point where I only traveled with enough clothes for myself to last just a couple of days.

I hope you all enjoy the pictures and videos of that special day. I wish everyone could experience looking into the eyes of these children when I handed them just a simply toy or t-shirt. They were so appreciative and very happy because sadly in some parts of the Philippines, a second pair of shoes or even a toy is a luxury that many cannot afford. It is our wish as Rotactors to continue this international program in the future.

Thank you,
Keith Villones