Give up your old stuff for Buttons to Hope!

F.A.R.M.ers Jane, Jet and Shiela participated in a group garage sale on Aug 30, 2009 at the Mabini Hall, Quezon City Memorial Circle to raise funds for Buttons to Hope.

The stuff sold were mostly donated by Terrie Salah from the US. Jane and Jet also gave up clothes, shoes and other personal things for the cause.

The activity was a big hit. More than half of the items were sold. The F.A.R.M.ers were able to collect a total of P4,940 from the 7-hour sale.

Previous collection from online sales amounts to P2,240. The total amount gathered from the Buttons to Hope auction is P7,180. A little more effort and the money can already fund one semester for one Baao scholar.

We encourage other F.A.R.M.ers to collect old and used stuff as we plan to hold more garage sales in the coming months. We hope to organize a bigger group next time. Because more is always merrier. And more sales mean more funds for Buttons to Hope.

Thank you F.A.R.M.ers for the commitment that goes deeper and deeper. God bless Buttons to Hope and worthy F.A.R.M.ers like you!

F.A.R.M. Wears Purple (2)

Hold on. While we thought the F.A.R.M. events in Baao were happening just there, F.A.R.M.ers from other parts of the world also celebrated with the big group by doing one thing. Dressing up in color like the others did!

Gladys, Ireland

Terrie, US

Nora, Canada

Sandra, visiting England

Sandra and Nadia, England

Jo, US

You are fabulous, ladies. And your efforts are much, much appreciated!

F.A.R.M. Wears Purple!

F.A.R.M.ers got together one "PURPLE NIGHT" on Aug 23, 2009 at the Cafe des Artes, Villa Esperanza, San Nicolas Baao, Camarines Sur.

After a productive day at La Huerta, it was time for F.A.R.M.ers to unwind. Jazz and bossa nova music, exquisite dinner, babbles here and there, photos, photos and photos...

Purple completed the ambience. The Cafe de Artes is unrivaled. It's the best, decent place to hang out in Baao.

Before the F.A.R.M.ers got carried away with the giggling that dominated the night, Buttons to Hope got great business. Another F.A.R.M.er pledged P10,000, making a total of P90,000 since the Button Hole affair.

Awesome!

Besides the pledges, Buttons to Hope raised P3,000 monthly contributions from F.A.R.M.ers during the events. Two overseas F.A.R.M.ers also sent P4,500. The project has been blessed with a good start.

At past midnight, F.A.R.M.ers went shopping for F.A.R.M. bracelets!

It was amazing that Mama Mary wore purple, too. She has been pouring all the blessings for F.A.R.M. because of its noble cause.

The bond is simply unbreakable. There'll be no stopping these girls.

Because F.A.R.M. is so blessed. And Buttons to Hope is the best way to share the blessings. Kudos F.A.R.M.ers! And congratulations for a job well done!

La Huerta Meeting a Huge Success!

The third monthly meeting for Buttons to Hope was held on August 22, 2009 at the La Huerta, Sta. Teresita Baao, Camarines Sur. It coincided with the blessing and inauguration of the Button Hole, the new training facility at La Huerta.

The meeting was a big success for several reasons:

1) For the first time, F.A.R.M.ers from Baao and other parts of Bicol were able to participate and share their ideas on Buttons to Hope.

2) The meeting was an opportunity for old and new F.A.R.M.ers to meet and interact. The F.A.R.M.ers who attended the meeting were Bernadette de los Santos, Jane Barcenas-Bisuna, Mia Barandon-Bulalacao, Rommel Bulalacao, Tootsie Belmonte-Villaranda, Ritzie Robosa, Tom Ballesteros, Louella Barrameda-Ballesteros, Jessamyn Badong-Sotaso, Yayet Bricia-Requintina, Apple Doroin, Audie Agtarap, Sarah Barrameda-Balares, Vince and William Dato, April Lanuzo-Serrano, Nora Almen and Gigi Federis. Bernadette hosted and Jane chaired the meeting.

3) The F.A.R.M.ers' level of enthusiasm and commitment to support the project was overwhelming. The amount of pledges for Buttons to Hope amounted to P80,000 from a few F.A.R.M.ers present in the meeting. With the estimated cost of P10,000 per semester, the amount raised at the meeting alone could cover the whole 2-year technical-vocational courses for two scholars from Baao.

4) Bidibidi had some good news, too. Her contribution to Buttons to Hope for the month of July amounted to over P10,000. That also translates to another semester for one Baao scholar. She also announced exciting activities and engagements for F.A.R.M. that we need to watch out for.

5) F.A.R.M. and Buttons to Hope will soon be registered as a formal organization through the help of Atty. Tom and Louella Ballesteros. Given a legal personality, the Buttons to Hope project will hopefully be expanded and extended to support more scholars from Baao in the future.

6) More exciting activities to promote F.A.R.M.ers' interaction and camaraderie are being worked out. A Buttons to Hope meet and F.A.R.M.ers tour is planned for October 2009 in the province of Bohol. Details of this activity will be announced later.

7) Upcoming activites were also announced. F.A.R.M.ers will participate in a garage sale on August 30 at the Quezon Memorial Circle, Quezon City. F.A.R.M.ers monthly meetings will continue in Manila and could also be held in Bicol, whenever necessary. Other fund-raising activities are forthcoming but details still need to be threshed out.

The La Huerta meeting opened a lot of opportunities, raised hopes and strengthened F.A.R.M.ers' commitment for Buttons to Hope. But more than that, it proved that people can make a big difference both by working and having wholesome fun. It was indeed a productive and laughter-filled day and it was a huge, huge success!

To learn more about the history of the project and past fund-raising activities, you may type "Buttons to Hope" in the search bar of the F.A.R.M. blog, or click "Buttons to Hope" under labels.

God Bless the Button Hole

We thank You, Lord for the richness of nature. For the seeds that we plant. For the fruits that we harvest.

We praise You for the wise minds that explore. The skillful hands that create. The countless things that are everywhere.

Glory to You, oh Lord for people who appreciate. For friends who support friends.

We adore You, Lord for the goodness instilled in people's hearts. For the possibilities that happen. For dreams that come true.

Thank You for the unending grace. For the youth that we build. For the bright future that awaits them.

God, please bless the Button Hole. May it never wear out, break or burn. May it serve the noblest of purpose.

And please guide us, F.A.R.M.ers. Lead us to the right path. Show us Your direction.

Let us reap success. Not for our our personal gain but for everyone's welfare.

Lord, continue to make us one. Never end our passion for the good. And let our selfless selves prevail. Amen.

The Button Hole at the La Huerta, Sta. Teresita, Baao, Camarines Sur was blessed and inaugurated by Fr. Lex Barela on August 22, 2009. Bernadette de los Santos, the owner of La Huerta and the Button Hole, hosted the affair and served lunch. F.A.R.M.ers, whose support for helping build the Button Hole was tremendous, attended the event.