2008 Negros Fundraiser
The first benefit dinner and silent auction was held last December 8, 2008 at 21 Restaurant in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines. More than 200 guests came and enjoyed the delicious food buffet dinner. Although the silent auction was a first to most Negrenses, an unexpected Php18,000 was raised to benefit a graduating student in St. Francis of Assisi School of Silay City with a college scholarship for next school year! The “hottest” item for bid were the two cellular phones donated by SMART Communications.
The SFAS Chorale rendered some music and songs to the guests during dinner.
After showing the three foundation “infomercials” (Education, Healthcare, Microcredit), Mrs. Micmic Abello Golez (Executive Director of the foundation) gave a short introduction of the foundation, describing the three main programs (education, health care and micro-credit). She further explained the main purpose of the dinner which was to “introduce” the foundation to the people of Negros since many are still not aware of its existence.
The evening ended with giving of door prizes and raffle of a Kodak digital camera and Nokia cellular phone. We thank all our volunteers, guests and donors who helped organize and made the event a huge success.
We would like especially to thank the following sponsors for making our event possible:
Premiere Sponsors: Migahay Co., RA Financial Services, Inc., Tinihaban Agricultural Corporation, Lonoy Agricultural Corporation, Asociacion de Hacenderos de Silay-Saravia, Inc., AHSSI Planters Multi-Purpose Coop., SMART Communications, Inc. and SWIP Travel Inc.
Table Sponsors: Misyel’s Catering, Hilo & Stitch, Twin Shell Service Station, AVIDA Land Corporation, Datalink Technologies, Inc., and Prudential Guarantee and Assurance Inc.
Silent Auction donors: The Sylvia Manor Hotel, Lopue’s East Center, Negros Saturn Marketing, Association of Negros Producers, Royal Wellness Spa, Negros Navigation, Trattoria Uma, Mrs. Joy Magalona-Barreiro, Mrs. Margie Ledesma-Abello, Julie’s Flower Shoppe, Roli’s Diner, Play Studio, Style Bacolod Inc., Bascon Café, Chicken House, PAPEL Handicrafts, Tumandok Crafts and Industries, Dir. Jay Abello, and Mr. Edgardo “Jack” Ledesma. Other donors: Silay-Saravia Railways Cooperative, Bacolod Fertichem Inc., and Trims and Treasures.
Special thanks to Bing Benin for hosting the dinner, Joey Benin for taking the photos, JR Abello for hosting the silent auction, Margie Abello for taking charge of the food (and selling the raffle tickets) and Rhea Torreno, Ophalyn Opao and Dina Almarquez for handling the registration table. And thank you to our active board members: Joey Ledesma, Ervie Gallespen and Ging Graham.