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. 
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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. 

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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. 

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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. 
 
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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:

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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

For information on how to donate, please click here
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34 comments

  1. 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! :-*

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    1. Thank you Kat for continuously supporting the group in every way you can!

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  2. WOW! I can say that it's pretty successful as I'm sure you made every kid happy with jolibee's appearance :)

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  3. 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. 😃

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  4. It's good to see the kids so happy. Keep up the good work! :)

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  5. I wish I was invited to this one. I saw your post on FB. It's such a privilege to serve others, especially children.

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    1. Hi May! Don't worry we will have a next round and I will open a registration for volunteers. :)

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  6. 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 :)

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  7. 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!

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    1. Hello Pam! Thank you so much and all for the happiness of Hutch. God Speed!

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  8. This is a commendable advocacy. Your post is a major heart-tug. Thanks for doing what you do.

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  9. 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

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  10. Such a sweet and thoughtful gestures! Hutch and the kids must be very happy to have people like you. More power!

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  11. 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. :)

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  12. 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. :)

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  13. 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! :)

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    1. Thank you sis, I could have not done this without all our wonderful sponsors!

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  14. 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!

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    1. Thank you for your kind words, I truly have to be thankful to all the sponsors and my voluteers or this wouldn't have been possible. :)

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  15. You make kids happy your such a wonderful person God bless you more

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    1. Thank you sis, I am just merely a vessel and a instrument. :)

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  16. 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. :)

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  17. 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.

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    1. There is always a way to make a difference Shalene, you can also check out Love Hope Faith Group, you buy a product from them and they will donate 50% of the earnings to their beneficiaries. :) Thank you for your kind words.

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  18. Congratulations to your advocacy :-) You are such a role model to all of us.

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