Personal| Smile For Hutch: Giving and Sharing smiles on it's 4th Year!

It took a whole year in the making, and after all the efforts to ask for donations, put a garage sale and to set up an actual date - finally last June 21, we got the chance to fill PGH's Pediatric Ward 9 with smiles and laughter.

The day was full of excitement and as I woke up by 4am to start sorting out the donations, my heart was truly in a happy place. I was given another chance to fulfill the promise to Hutch to serve as an instrument to share blessings with charity pediatric patients who are confined in PGH or otherwise known Philippine General Hospital.

Every year what we would usually do is to gather donations and buy candies, cookies, juice and small toys to distribute. But this year, due to the overwhelming response of several sponsors, we decided to go ahead and plan a Jollibee Party for the whole ward.

I remember, back when Hutch and I were in PGH, he got chosen to be part of a very intimate gathering in the children's library. Much to our surprise it was a Jollibee party - the celebrant was a lady who preferred to share her own blessings with the patients of the charity ward. This inspired me to do the same.

On the day itself, the whole Smile For Hutch team wore the volunteer shirt donated by Love Hope Faith and happily entered Ward 9, seeing everyone's curious face made us more excited to get things started. We started off with a on-the-spot and absolutely no preparation Prayer and opening speech from yours truly and I have to say that I had never been as nervous and emotional as I was that day.

Games!

The crew of Jollibee then initiated a game that was played by the parents and guardians of the patients which made a few of the patients shriek in delight. Everyone was so game and you could see that even though some were shy they were so happy to participate.

Admin Lyneth, Ria and I with one of the child patients.

After the games, food was served and then we got the chance to do our rounds to distribute the other donations such as watches from Love Hope Faith, books bought with the remaining monetary donations and toothbrushes with toothpaste from Prescy Arales. We also had a few t shirts from an anonymous sponsor that was given to selected patients. The Jollibee mascot actually tagged along with me while distributing donations, and to lighten the mood, I would joke that he washes my dishes at home which made the kids giggle.

There were three patients that struck my heart, one kid who would scream in delight upon seeing Jollibee, dance along and joke with us. A little lady in her teens, could no longer speak and had a tube going through her throat yet she still managed to be so enthusiastic and one boy who was still in school however was suddenly diagnosed with cancer and was going through chemotherapy at the time of our project - I was called over by him and his mom to speak with him and to give prayers which really made me well up in tears especially when the mom broke down and cried. I told the mother to be strong for her son since he would be gathering strength from her.

Another very strong willed patient from Ward 9 (face has been masked for privacy).

I told myself I wasn't going to cry but then all the emotions and memories just returned. Despite the heart wrenching moment, I knew by the look on their faces that they were happy we were there.

This year of Smile for Hutch was the best yet, because we got to go beyond our expectations and the sponsors were very generous with sharing. I could have not done this project without the sponsors, my admins and the volunteers. I am looking forward to our next once I am able to gather again enough donations to share.

Thank you to our sponsors who just made the little kids of PGH Ward 9 very happy:

We Wander Travel and Tours
Delfa's Food Products
Nikon Tough Mama
Love Hope Faith
Czarina Cheloe Dampor-Ylaya (My Pretty Mama Title Holder 2014)
Prescy Arales
Bev Baradi

Thank you also to the following, if not for your efforts, Smile For Hutch's latest project would have not been successful:

Kat Santiago
Admin Lyneth Bulfango
Admin Ria Punzalan
Admin Dhez Lacsamana
Patrick Punzalan
Feric Montemayor
Choi Santos
Beth Varias
Mark Yumang

For more photos and information about how you can help, please visit our Facebook Page: Smile For Hutch

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34 comments

Petite MommaJune 29, 2015 at 9:24 AM
Thanks for the mention, Marie! :) We are humbled and grateful too for being a part of your advocacy. Congratulations again and more power to you and your team! :-*
Nicole P.June 30, 2015 at 11:07 AM
WOW! I can say that it's pretty successful as I'm sure you made every kid happy with jolibee's appearance :)
UnknownJune 30, 2015 at 11:35 AM
I almost cried reading this. I don't really get too emotional but since I had my children, I feel like I now easily get affected with things concerning kids. May they all get well soon. Very uplifting project. 😃
AnimetricJune 30, 2015 at 3:26 PM
It's good to see the kids so happy. Keep up the good work! :)
May PalacpacJune 30, 2015 at 4:20 PM
I wish I was invited to this one. I saw your post on FB. It's such a privilege to serve others, especially children.
ayeeeshaJune 30, 2015 at 4:26 PM
Congratulations on this event. It feels good to help other people and making them happy, especially kids :) I'll check out the Facebook page to see how we could help too :)
Pam / Hey, Miss Adventures!June 30, 2015 at 11:01 PM
Oh that's really nice of you. I'm pretty sure Hutch is very happy that you're making other kids happy, too. :) More power to future activities like this!
AnonymousJuly 1, 2015 at 6:16 PM
This is a commendable advocacy. Your post is a major heart-tug. Thanks for doing what you do.
MrsMartinez | xoxoMrsMartinez.comJuly 2, 2015 at 3:53 AM
Good job, mommy! You deserved a pat on the back for making these kids forget that they have cancer and for making them smile.

Xoxo,
MrsMartinez
Balot's ChatterJuly 2, 2015 at 2:36 PM
Such a sweet and thoughtful gestures! Hutch and the kids must be very happy to have people like you. More power!
AnonymousJuly 6, 2015 at 11:36 AM
Helping the needy is and will always be a humbling experience. It would make us realize that we are so much blessed and it would be just enough to share these with them. :)
AnonymousJuly 6, 2015 at 11:38 AM
Helping the needy is and will always be a humbling experience. It would make us realize that we are so much blessed and it would be just enough to share these with them. :)
RozelleJuly 6, 2015 at 3:15 PM
What a very generous and kind heart you have mommy! I'm sure you have made those kids really happy! May God bless you and your family more! :)
UnknownJuly 7, 2015 at 6:20 AM
Seeing the smiles and hearing the laughter of the kids are truly priceless. I admire you and your whole team for organizing this party and may you continue to share your blessings and joy to others in the years to come. More power!
Mommy AnnaJuly 8, 2015 at 9:52 AM
You make kids happy your such a wonderful person God bless you more
Rhoda S. FajardoJuly 8, 2015 at 11:52 AM
It breaks my heart seeing children diagnosed serious illnesses, worse, cancer. This is a wonderful thing you've done for these kids. I hope that you succeed in spreading happiness to more sick children. You really have a big heart. God bless you and all the kids you continue to help. :)
Purple PiecesJuly 16, 2015 at 10:24 AM
You got me teary-eyed :'( The kids looked happy. I wish I too could make a difference in other children's lives, even in small ways.
Mommy Bloggers PhilippinesJuly 19, 2015 at 9:27 PM
Congratulations to your advocacy :-) You are such a role model to all of us.