Maaga ang Pasko launched to collect toys for kids

GIVING and sharing of gifts to the children has always been the aim of Jollibee for launching the “Maaga ang Pasko,” which is now on its 17th year.

In partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the private sector, Maaga ang Pasko aims to collect 360,000 toys nationwide for this year to be given to the less-fortunate children in the country.

Since it started, the program has already given 1.8 million toys nationwide,  said Jollibee marketing services officer for the Visayas Oliver Alcid.

The DSWD will identify the children beneficiaries, while the partner companies share gifts and donations and private sector help in the collection of toys and dissemination of information regarding the project.

Employees of Jollibee foods will also volunteer their time to clean, sort and wrap the toys. The  management, on the other hand, will provide new toys equivalent to the total used toys collected nationwide.

During the launching at the SM City Cebu Event Center, project partners gave their first donation of used toys, and took oath with Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama to help the less-fortunate children in the country. ABS-CBN’s talent “Empress” also rendered a song number and shared her experiences about the project. /CORRESPONDENT NORMAN V. MENDOZA