Residents of Luzon didn’t escape the strong winds and rains brought by Typhoon Ulysses. Some of the low lying areas in Pampanga was submerged to flood after the onslaught of the typhoon and destroyed many trees and houses particularly in the town of Candaba, San Luis, and Arayat.
During a crisis, the school with a heart never turned their backs to people and the community who need assistance. To heed the call of the people, Holy Cross College started a donation drive and delivered relief packs to affected students and residents.
The donations consisting of 193 relief packs was delivered to seven selected barangays in Candaba, San Luis and Arayat. The Caritas project was spearheaded by Senior High School Department, Student Affairs and Services Division together with the advisers of the student council.
“The threat of health crisis will not hinder as in doing this program and being true to one of our core values, Caritas. We are doing this to help and extend our helping hands to the victims of typhoon Ulysses,” SHS Assistant Principal Camilo Lacanlale said.
Among the chosen beneficiaries is the family of Grace Vinuya, 44, whose house was battered by the strong winds and rains.
“Nagsilaglag ang mga yero ko po tiyaka yung mga bubong ko po natanggal kaya malaking tulong din sa amin ito Holy Cross,” she said.
The school will always be in pursuit of its core value Caritas or charity according to Jorge Guarin Lumbang, a recipient of Gawad Antonia H. Dizon Award for Caritas. Lumbang together with other employees helped in collecting and distributing the donations.
“Minarapat ng paaralang may puso ang mag-ipon at maglikom ng mga donasyon mula sa kanyang mga empleyado, magaaral at mga alumni, upang maihatid sa mga mamamayan ng Candaba na lubos na naapektuhan ng bagyo at baha,” Lumbang said.
“Kahit na sa maliit na paraan lamang ay ninais ng Caritas Team na makapaghatid ng tulong sa mga mamayan at hindi nila alintana ang anumang peligro sa mga lugar na kanilang sinuong makapaghatid lamang ng konting tulong. Ito ay isa lamang sa mga isinasabuhay na Core Values ng paaralang may puso ang Caritas Project, na naglalayong makatulong sa mga lubos na nangangailangan na mamamayan ng walang hinihintay na anumang kapalit,” he added.
The school with a heart also shared another 28 packs of rice and can goods to victims of the typhoon in the San Luis Gawad Kalinga Village.
Another Caritas project was also on its way, in time for the 75th Foundation and the upcoming Christmas season. However, HCC admin said that season of giving choose no year, season or time.