Group plays Santa for Ormoc kids

The Larrazabal Eye Group headed by Dr. Potenciano “Yong” Larrazabal III organized a Christmas Mission last month in barangays Biliboy, Naungan and Tambulilid in Ormoc City, Leyte.

The group’s volunteers, wearing Santa hats, distributed 2,000 gift packs to the children from the three barangays, among the areas severely hit by supertyphoon Yolanda last Nov. 8.

The gift packs contained various items contributed by friends and relatives of Dr. Yong Larrazabal.

The initial prime movers who started the ball rolling by sending money from abroad were Debbie Lim of Canada, Olaf and Gleceria Bornack and Undine Siebert and family. Other personalities who are also based abroad like Ken and Wilma Tenebro, Dr. Guiden Manalo and the Filipino nurses in New Zealand, followed suit by also donating a sizable amount of money. Dr. Steve Aldrich Alsay, and Fifi Roxan of @GlitzShopHK also donated cash.

Shirley Kuan, manager of Dr. Yong’s wife Donna, contributed 500 T-shirts for the relief campaign, while Run for Sight loyal mainstays Arnold and Lisa Chuachoy gave 150 different types of balls.

Dr. Pek Eng Lim also donated toys and provided Santa hats for the volunteers. Francesco and Rowena of Tatiri Toy Company also shared toys with the children.

The gift packs also included new and used toys and clothing donated by Cebuanos who supported the Larrazabal eye clinic’s relief efforts and 500 pairs of children’s slippers from Yong’s parents, Dr. Potenciano Larrazabal Jr. and wife Zenny.

The activity was also supported by the entire staff of the Larrazabal Eye Group, which donated the budget for their Christmas party for the food and transportation of the volunteers.