Our Life Outreach November Newsletter!

OURLIFE.NOV.09

Click the link above to see the full newsletter from Our Life Outreach recent Projects!

You’ll read about:

–The UYC Flood Rescue Team (Report by Zella, 15)

–The New Volunteers who have joined us at PGH

–The Pedia-Palaro Foundation Day at PGH

–and the Prisoners’ Awareness Week!

…have fun!

United Youth Club Rescue Team Pics!

As you know, this last month has brought many natural disasters to Southeast Asia, the Philippines being at the top of the list for relentless, damaging typhoons. Our young volunteers from UYC were busy in the aftermath of Ketsana with donated relief goods, helping to distribute the packages to flood victims.

To view the photos, go to http://ourlifeoutreach.multiply.com/photos/album/30/United_Youth_Club_Rescue_Team

CHRISTMAS IS COMING UP…

THE MARTINEZ SISTERS: DANCE FOR A CAUSE

 The Martinez Sisters are a family act; a professional dance group performing all year round, in aid of outreach programs and social consciousness awareness. This Christmas, their upbeat dance numbers and lively choreography will bring life to any seasonal event!

Past performances include venues like the Muntinlupa Bilbid Prison, the Manila PGH (Philippine General Hospital), and the Mad Dogs Annual Toy Run for Orphans in Handlebar, Makati.

Book now for your corporate Christmas party or local outreach event.

Contact: Joy Martinez 0916-171-3838 or 0915-314-1689

email: brodanny_joy@yahoo.com

Special Thanks to the VOLUNTEERS FROM VIRJEN SHIPPING CORPORATION!

This month, our volunteers at the Pedia Ward were the boss and employees of VIRJEN Shipping Corporation.  About 15 came to celebrate their company’s yearly anniversary by packaging and giving away food, toys, gifts, vitamins, diapers and milk to 100 little patients.

Our special thanks to volunteers and donors: Erica Feliz Marquez-Jacinto, Pearl Punzalan, Ernie Fuerte, Hannah Grace Samson, Yza Enverga, Rochelle Robles, Catherine Santos,  Annalyn Monsanto, Jennylyn Almazan, and Gladys Aragon

If you or your company would like to contribute to the patients of PGH Pedia Ward, please contact us to coordinate your schedules for an outreach program. We handle the processing of hospital passes and permits, clearing your schedule with the doctors and nurses in charge, arranging rooms for your staff, and can assist you in whatever way you need.

God bless you!

(For the complete photo album of this event, please go to www.ourlifeoutreach.multiply.com )

June 09 Newsletter

OURLIFE.JUNE09 is our latest update newsletter from activities here at Our Life Outreach. Have a read

Click this link to see the Newsletter!

Volunteer Watch:

PGH Pedia Ward gets help from new friends, Horacio and Tita Anna!

 PGH Ward 9, May 21st, 3pm.

New sponsors Horatio and Tita Anna assisted us in bringing donated goods for 50 patients. The gifts included diapers, clothing, alcohol, cotton, food, and inspirational literature for the children’s parents. The  Martinez kids, Jozen, Mandy, Angela and Zella helped with the folding, organizing and packing of the goods for this project. Cielo, Nina and Joy organized the ward visitation, also distributing enough Krispy Kreme donuts for the hospital staff and nurses.

 

This project is part of our monthly donation-distributions for ill children at PGH hospital. Please keep reading to find out how you can facilitate the outreach and help us to serve others.

Can YOU Sponsor giveaways at the PGH Pedia Ward?

To continue this monthly program, all we need is 12 sponsors a year, each one to commit to one day a month . The more friends help out, the more visits we can make. You can put together some gifts to give away  as a unique way to celebrate your birthday, or to simply do something extraordinary on an ordinary day!

Let us know, and we’ll get you started.

Featuring: The UYC–United Youth Club!

Five of our kids: Nina (16), Zella (14), Mandy (13), Angela (12), and Jozen (9) now  attend and help organize a free youth club in the Philippines.

The members of this club are preteens and teenagers, who, with their youthful energy, organized a free club for other kids to have fun, learn, grow in faith, and inspire each other to make a positive difference in their world!

The kids and teens learn about decision-making, relationships with others, public relations, cooperativeness, social skills, team-work, values and the like; they organize community projects together and hold their own meetings in their own specially-designed club-room.

 Environmental projects like tree planting are in the works; sports activities are a regular part of the weekly gatherings; united efforts to help the less fortunate in their local community are organized by the Club. And faith-building, motivational classes are taught alternately by the kids themselves.

For updates and information on UYC “United Youth Club”, log on to http://uyc-manila.blogspot.com. Here, you’ll find stories, pictures and fun stuff from the teens to enjoy.

Gifts of Love for Valentines

A couple months ago, the Nomads Bulettes held an art exhibition entitled “Touch and Soul”, which featured some of the country’s best painters, including BenCab and Hermes Allegre. Just before Valentines Day 2009, the girls used part of the funds raised to do an Outreach Program with us in PGH, in benefit of the Pediatric Ward patients, who numbered nearly 50 in the ward.

We’ll let Clair Barberis tell her account of that memorable day, when we all learned about love’s true value, and the joy of giving.

 

(By Clair Concepcion-Barberis, Nomads Bulettes Rugby Team Player, FunDayTion Organizer/Volunteer):

Recently, with every cup of morning coffee, one has faced a cramped newspaper page of tumbling figures and a video stream of very bad, very real war vignettes. Just when you think that last night’s breaking news was shocking enough, in comes another one equipped with enough potency to make your jaw drop through the floor, again.

This is approximately the time you decide there is no point in making sense of this all. Then your children walk in and give you the most loving and unaffected kiss in the whole wide world and deliver a beautifully crafted pre-valentine card made during their recreational class. Now this puts your views back into perspective.

On February 12, 2009, through the help of  missionaries Nikki Martinez of FunDayTion (Our Life Outreach), her mother Joy and her two beautiful and talented daughters, Nina and Angela, I accompanied a number of the Bullettes to Wards 9 and 11of the PGH Pediatric Cancer Ward.

Before entering the wards, Joy gathered us around and gently warned us, “Please be strong and prepare yourselves in the event a child passes away during our visit.” Apparently, three childred had passed away the last time Joy and Nikki were there.  What do you do with that information?? Suck it up and hope for the best.

The experience was, to say the least, heart wrenching. All we wanted to do was to give everything we had, hope to say something positive or even remotely funny and do everything in our power to make these children’s lives less painful and their parent’s lives less sorrowful. In our very own small way, we provided a couple of hours of distraction by distributing diapers, face towels, cotton buds, alcohol, clothes and food to the patients and parents.

At once, we realized that what we thought of hours ago as plentiful was now frustratingly meager as supplies were simply not enough. When supplies ran out, we became the next supply – and supplied some laughs, conversation and hope to some that looked forward to our next visit. Hopefully, by then, they would have checked out. Well, one sort of checked out – a one day old baby wrapped in cling wrap wasn’t so lucky — or probably is.

We stepped out as the sight was too much for any of us to bear and we could only imagine the scene of the father arriving a tad too late with medicines in tow. This puts everything we once thought of as valuable right into the material trash bin – and life back into perspective.

The funds that have been raised during the Touch and Soul Charity Art Exhibit and Sale will be used for another PGH Charity Day sometime in June and will also be used to purchase school and art supplies for the street children of Les Oursin.

Should you wish to donate or volunteer for either project, please contact Clair +63 918 906 8332 or ccbarberis@gmail.com. For more inquiries about FunDayTion projects, contact Nikki or Joy Martinez, for Our Life Outreach. 0915-881-2478.

 

(Note from Joy Martinez):

 

The hospital visitation program is something we organize for sponsors wanting to have hands-on experience with those they are helping. We arranged the pediatric ward visitation for the Nomads girls to do volunteer work and the Lord helped everything to work out for the best. With some proceeds from their art exhibition, they were able to buy diapers, food and goods for the patients.

They took the time right there to distribute and check for the kids sizes for diapers and clothing, scoop up the food into the plates and be servers to all . They would personally go back and forth to the hall where the stuff was and then back to the beds to give it out. They were really enjoying it and getting involved, showing sincere concern for each patient and parent, making sure that each got what they actually needed. Each volunteer was really touched that day.

Below are pictures from the event. Thanks again for taking the time to view our updates on this site. God bless you!  

For Valentines

Hope you all had a wonderful Valentines Day with your loved ones and/or special someone!

This year, we participated in the Valentines Day Singing Contest in Bilibid Prison, Muntinlupa! Each contestant was required to sing a duet with a female vocalist from outside. It was good fun in the classic Filipino tradition of celebrating with music.

If you recall, last year we had our Valentines party at PGH together with the PETA Theater Group, Kitchie Nadal, and friends from the Mad Dogs Motorcycle Club in Manila. It was a day to remember.

Here’s a picture from Valentines, 2008.

Remember that LOVE is ALWAYS worth your time!

Christmas 2008 in Pictures!

A Christmas Recap!

Newsletter For Download! Click This File to See December Newsletter

Christmas was full, but lots of fun! In the newsletter above, we share with the the projects and pictures. Click the link above to download the full Pictorial and see more pages like the one below!

Santa and Pasig Penguins at PGH!

December 16, 2008. Santa brings Christmas to PGH, courtesy of the Pasig Penguins club! 100 children spending Christmas weeks in the hospital wards are cheered up and given surprise gifts on this special day!

Click this link for the full photo album!

A Christmas Invasion!

by Karen Kunawicz 

December 7, 2008: The Pirates and the Stoormtroopers returned for their Christmas Invasion of the PGH Pediatric Ward bringing recyclable bags from Haribon Foundation filled with goodies like soup, milk, biscuits and juice.

Fortunately there wasn’t much traffic as everyone was home watching the Pacquiao-Dela Hoya Match. Some of us got to watch the later rounds on the telly at the PGH.

Personally, this has been one of our toughest visits–considering there was an unusually high number of babies and infants, and children who badly needed all sorts medicine, surgery and medical apparatus…..

Click this link to read the rest of this story and see pictures from the Event!

DinosAlive!–The FunDay Fotos!

Andy Maluche was on site to capture these fun moments with KKMC and the Kids with cancer at DinosAlive. Thanks to Max Entertainment, Total Sports Asia, and GMA 7 for coverage.

 

Click this link for the full photo album. Our hearftfelt thanks to our friends at Krimson Kross for making all the fun happen!

ourlifedec08

Clink the above link to download the resized version of our latest newsletter!

Martinez Teens Dance for Christmas!

Angela (12), Mandy (13), Rosella (14), and Nina (15) are sisters who dance for charity and corporate events. They have been performing as a family for over 10 years.
 
Repetoire includes traditional and original Christmas numbers with high-impact, energetic dances.
 
(Contact Nyx Martinez for details.)

(+63) 915 881 2478
(+632) 822 9102

email: nyxmartinez@gmail.com

Coming Up: Another FunDay with KKMC!

Krimson Kross Bikers Bring Thrills to Kids with Cancer

 

 

Christmas is for kids, they say. But some kids don’t get that much fun during the season—their days are spent at hospital and this Christmas could be their last.

 

The FunDaytion, a non-profit charity that organizes fun days for terminally-ill kids, gets help this year from the Krimson Kross Bikers (KKMC) to kick off Christmas with a FunDay for 20 kids with cancer, happening this November 30, 2008.

 

DinosAlive! the World Tour 2008 welcomes the kids and bikers to a day of fascinating fun! From fossils digs to Interactive prehistoric games, it’s 12,000 sq meters of enough action to thrill children and grown-ups alike.

 

                KKMC has previously brought kids with cancer to other amusement parks, making many fun days happen and wishes come true. This time, they ride again to meet the children and parents for one special day whose memories will last for many lifetimes.   

 

Because Christmas is truly for kids–big kids, little kids, and all those kids at heart.

 

 

 

 

For more information about the FunDaytion, Contact:

 

Nikki Martinez

(Project Manager)

 

Tel: (63) 0915-881-2478

(632) 822 44 59

Email: nyxmartinez@gmail.com

December Newsletter

Click this link to download our latest newsletter!

With this Newsletter, we bring you updates on a new project: Kids Community Service in Marcello Green! Plus, a pictorial from our teens’ Christmas Dance Group…it’s a family act of 6 brothers and sisters! Then, find cool links to other sites where volunteers have told first hand stories and posted their own pictures from FunDaytion projects!

Of course, no FunDaytion newsletter would be complete without a FunDay! This month, our venue was PAGCOR (formerly Casino Filipino) where the kids were treated to many extraordinary nights with the WANDERS Show!

–All this and more with pictures to make you smile. INSIDE the NEWSLETTER.

The FunDaytion Needs YOU!

Upcoming Projects for November and December 2008

Dear Family and Friends,

With only two more months till the year 2008 has ended, Our Life Outreach looks back on many memorable days made possible by your support, prayers, and hands-on help. Last year, there were the expected and un-expected changes, ups and downs, financial crises, and times we thought perhaps our work would not be able to survive.

Yet here we are, with you who made it possible. Here we are, at the close of another wonderful year which taught us many lessons and left us with cherished memories.

These next two months, let’s not get too wrapped up in the sticky, hectic, rushed “X-mas” spirit. Let’s remember what it’s really all about: A Season of Love!

Below, you’ll find our proposed projects for November and December. “Proposed”, because we still have to work together to make it happen. If possible, we would like to be able to do all the projects listed, within a two-month time frame (This is in addition to our on-going weekly programs for children in the hospital and local community). So, if you find the time and/or extra resources to donate for these outreach projects, do have a read and let us know how you’d like to get involved.

 

With Love,

The Martinez Family

(The FunDaytion, Our Life Outreach)

FunDaytion Excursion for Kids with Cancer

The Project:

Students from our SPED classes at PGH (kids with cancer) requested an excursion FunDay this Christmas. We are looking into the possibilities for a local amusement park outing and will try to facilitate at least 20 children (ages 6-16), plus teachers and guardians.

The Need:

Funds for transportation, food, and entrance fees to the amusement park.

Giveaways for the kids (can include clothes, toys, milk and multivitamins)

SPED Hospital School Christmas Party

The Project:

For those children who cannot go on outings because of their illness or current hospital treatments, we are proposing an in-house party at the SPED school where we have weekly classes taught by volunteers. We would like to include not only children with cancer in this Christmas party, but also other children we have taught in the school, such as those with kidney problems and other critical illnesses.

The Need:

Funds for Party Food, Entertainment for hire, gifts to giveaway

Volunteer Performers who can contribute to the entertainment (can you sing, dance, host games or simply clown around?)

Christmas FunDay for Children of Prisoners in Bilibid

The Project:

There are other children who don’t get many fun days, and those are kids whose parent/s are incarcerated in the country’s National Prison. Despite whatever reasons their parents may be inmates, we hope to give the children a chance to have a happy Christmas.

The Need:

Funds for Party Food, Entertainment hire, Giveaways and Transportation for volunteers to the Prison compound, where the party will be held

Annual Gift-Giving in Pediatric Wards, Philippine General Hospital

The Project:

At a time when Santa is extremely busy, there come to the hospital two other batches of gift-givers you may be familiar with: The Pirates of the Caribbean and The Star Wars Stormtroopers! These motley crews landed ship at the hospital on several occasions this last year to bring smiles to the Pediatric Ward of PGH. This October, they again raised funds and awareness of their mission and will be invading the hospital with lots of goodies for the kids in December.

The Need:

Any kids gifts you can contribute

Food and transportation allowance for the volunteers

Participation in Handlebar Club Toy Run for Orphans

The Project:

We were first introduced to the Philippine Biker Clubs Krimson Kross and Mad Dogs and their charity programs in early 2006. Since then, our family has participated in their annual Toy Run event for orphans, where the Martinez Kids perform energetic dance numbers as part of the entertainment for the kids.

The Need:

Costumes for our dancers (who are now teenagers, outgrowing their old shoes and costumes)

What Can You Contribute?

Besides hands-on volunteerism, which is always welcome, we invite you to choose any other way listed above that you can be of help this Christmas. It’s the best time to give gifts of love–gifts that will last even long after the season has ended.

Thank you for your continued support and contributions to our volunteer mission work! Hope to hear from you soon, and please remember to click on our website updates listed below.

Contact us:

Emails: ourlifeoutreach@yahoo.com or nyxmartinez@gmail.com or brodanny_joy@yahoo.com

Cellphone: (63)915 881 2478 (Look for Nyx) (63)9163912639 (Look for Joy)

Landline: (632)822 9102

A Day for Dancing with White Cross Orphans

Martinez sisters take stage

Mandy dances with the kids

Our family was invited to participate in a birthday celebration that was held at White Cross Orphanage. Since the girls recently upgraded and formed some new dance numbers, our audience of about 70 little people got to watch their very first show!

Loads of smiles, laughter, and yummy food made a fantastic party. And the volunteers’ and dancers’ energy combined brought happiness to all our hearts.

Special thanks to Karen Kunawicz for organizing the event, and to Cristina Peczon: Happy Birthday and thank you for giving us the opportunity to share some cheer!

(See our photo site for the complete set of the day’s photos! www.ourlifeoutreach.multiply.com)