The coronavirus has left an enormous gap in many volunteer-driven organizations while pushing volunteers themselves to wonder how they can get around COVID-19 so they can get back to supporting their advocacies. There are plenty of reasons to be anxious for both sides, as we are facing an unprecedented threat that is reshaping our society as we speak. Not to mention that it might be a while before we get a more concrete idea of how the pandemic will truly affect each of us. Thankfully, hope doesn’t really have to take a backseat to all the chaos. If only we can will ourselves to find it and share it with others.
While the global crisis has forced billions to self-isolate, it has also inspired millions to volunteer in many innovative ways — from making face masks to offering transportation for frontliners to virtual volunteering and donations. Volunteerism at the local level has been huge throughout 2020, with many of us embracing the challenge to protect and rebuild our communities. Where there are crises in leadership are #EverydayHeroes quietly making a positive impact. Beyond misinformation and dissonance, are collected minds who are leading us past the distractions so we can focus on identifying solutions to actual, if not the most substantial problems.
Even in a world of struggle and decline, most of us have had the chance to choose what would they become amid these trying times. And for what it’s worth, we never had a short supply of Filipinos who have expressed their desire to volunteer and make a difference.
Treasure Volunteer as the New Normal
At present we have disbursed PHP 630,000.00 worth of cash donations that we have raised from March to July via Treasure Volunteer — our donation platform that was launched late in 2019. Our beneficiaries include many of our active partner NGOs (see list below) as well as frontliners from Tondo Medical Center, UP, and select hospitals c/o TOWNS.
While Treasure Volunteer is relatively new, iVolunteer Philippines was also able to raise PHP 92,500.00 to aid the victims of Taal Volcano Eruption earlier this year and another PHP 21,810.00 for COSE last December.
In retrospect, donating has always been key to the growth of the development sector, not only as an alternative but an important channel for nonprofits to drive resources. Giving money may not satisfy a volunteer’s personal drive to help, but it can give us comfort knowing that our donations are going to where help is needed most.
Making a difference together
Your journey as a Treasure Volunteer doesn’t end when you have submitted your donation. In fact, we want you to see the progress of the initiative you chose to support, as well as the community that will benefit from it all. With that said, here’s how your TREASURE has been helping nonprofits and their vulnerable communities get past COVID-19.
| NGO | Donations Disbursed to NGO | |
|---|---|---|
| TOWNS | PHP 75,000 | PPEs of healthcare workers across 800 plus hospital affiliates. |
| Tondo Medical Center | PHP 30,000 | 143 sets of PPEs and 300 N95 masks for frontliners of Tondo Medical Center. |
| Rocked/UPMF/PGH | PHP 233,000 | COVID-19 test kits and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for medical frontliners and healthcare workers |
| Pasay Pups | PHP 5,000 | Food supply for starving children living near the graves of Sarhento Mariano Cemetery |
| 2KK | PHP 93,000 | Basic needs for families of poorest communities in Metro Manila (area of operation in Smokey Mountain, Payatas, and Maisan Sampaloc) |
| COSE | PHP 28,500 | Personal protective equipment, health & hygiene materials, and ready to eat food for Lolos and Lolas of COSE. |
| Heart Warriors | PHP 20,0000 | Medicines and other essential needs for Heart Warriors who suffer from cardiovascular diseases. |
| CRIBS | PHP 13,000 | Basic needs of the babies, girls, and the staff of the organization |
| ATD | PHP 24,700 | Basic needs of no work no pay sector of the community in North Cemetery and Paco Manila |
| Animal Rescue | PHP 18,000 | Construction materials to rebuild shelter housing more than a hundred stray cats and dogs. |
| Project Pearls | PHP 18,000 | Healthy and nutritious meals for the poorest of the poor kids in Helping Land, Tondo, Manila. |
| Kythe | PHP 18,000 | Hearty meals to families of the children with cancer who belong to the “no work no pay” sector. |
| CDRC | PHP 18,000 | Face masks, hygiene kits, alcohol, food packs to affected communities across regional centers in and beyond Metro Metro Manila |
| Grain | PHP 18,000 | Relief goods (e.g. food packs and hygiene kits) for their PWD beneficiaries. |
| PAC | PHP 18,000 | Bundle of Hope” food packs for families living in Barangay 128 and 145 of Tondo, Manila. |
NOTE: Some of these Treasure Volunteer initiatives remain active, which means you can still send your donations and aid the completion of these programs by simply following the instructions below.
Become a Treasure Volunteer
At a time when volunteers are restricted to do much physically, Treasure Volunteer has become a symbolic step for us towards our own #NewNormal. We have always been a big proponent of skills-based volunteering and still are. But at the same time, we find it important to introduce a new entry point for those who are new to volunteering or those who are simply pressed for time but are looking to support their advocacy in other ways.
Come visit our website [https://www.ivolunteer.com.ph/treasure-volunteer] to learn more and become a #TreasureVolunteer.
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