Buttons to Hope Takes Off

F.A.R.M.ers met on June 10 at the Cravings Restaurant, Shangri-La Mall, and at the Lobby Lounge of EDSA Shangri-La Hotel to discuss the activities of Buttons to Hope.

Here are bits and pieces of what transpired at the meeting:

• Buttons to Hope: Educating and Empowering Baao’s Youth through F.A.R.M. is a project that aims to provide two-year scholarships to deserving students of Baao. It hopes to generate P1,000,000 by June 2010 to support 12-16 scholars throughout their 2-year technical-vocational programs in Bicol state universities and colleges.
• The project will be undertaken and managed by F.A.R.M., an informal group that will eventually evolve into a non-government organization (NGO). Bernadette de los Santos will initiate and handle the process of registering the organization.

• A F.A.R.M.er is any person who patronizes F.A.R.M. and interested and committed to take part in the activities being undertaken by the group (i.e. Buttons to Hope). Membership of the formal F.A.R.M. organization, however, will be further defined during the registration process.
• In the meantime, a set of officers will be formed to spearhead the implementation of the Buttons to Hope project.
• The guidelines of Buttons to Hope will be further defined.
  
  
  

• The identification of activities to raise funds for the project is work-in-progress. Participation of F.A.R.M.ers not present during the meeting is highly encouraged.

• Bernadette offered to contribute P5 per bracelet produced to the Buttons to Hope fund (effective June 1, 2009). This is apart from the fund she already allocates to the three scholars she supports.
• F.A.R.M.ers are encouraged to contribute a certain amount for every bracelet sold to them (at least P10 for Philippines-based F.A.R.M.ers and at least $2 for overseas F.A.R.M.ers). Higher amounts will be much appreciated.
• A set of limited-edition F.A.R.M. bracelets will be launched soon. 50% of the sales will go to the fund.
  

• A monthly meeting among F.A.R.M.ers in Manila will be held as part of the fund-raising activity (one F.A.R.M.er to host a meeting and the rest contributes to the fund).
• Personal donations and items to be auctioned are very much welcomed.

• Major activities like concerts, charity dinners and other events were discussed but these will be announced when the details are threshed out.
• Overseas F.A.R.M.ers are also planning their own activities to help raise funds. These too will be announced later.
  

  

The full summary of the meeting is posted in the F.A.R.M. discussion board at Facebook. Members of the group are enjoined to provide comments.

Manila Participants:
1. Bernadette de los Santos
2. Jane Barcenas-Bisuna
3. Simonette Brigola
4. Adrian Luzentales
5. Sheila Sanchez
6. Jet Arroyo-Cariaga
7. Melvin Cariaga
8. Mia Bulalacao
9. Rommel Bulalacao

Online Participants
1. Nadia Gaite-Turiano, England
2. Teresa de los Santos-Salah, US
3. Gladys Francia Barrameda-Sadang, Ireland
4. Wheng Bricia-Briones, Baao, CS
5. Margee Acantalicio, Dubai
6. Jo Badong-Davis, US
7. Jocelie Britanico, Dubai

Thank you for helping us take the first few steps to realizing the dream.