LIST: Grant a Christmas wish through these meaningful initiatives
We all have our minds set on finding the perfect gifts for our family and friends during the holidays, and rightly so. But this season, why not extend that generosity to a bigger cause and share your blessings with those in need?
To take the guesswork out of giving, these NGOs and companies went straight to their beneficiaries to ask what’s on their Christmas wishlists.
So give thanks and help make a few wishes come true through these holiday initiatives. After all, it’s the season of giving.
Rustan’s
Complete a child’s Christmas wishlist by choosing a notecard from the Angel Tree at any Rustan's store. The notecards are personally written by the children as part of the initiative and can give you an idea of what they specifically wish for.
You can purchase their gifts in the Kids section and viola, wish fulfilled!
Rustan’s will also give you a complimentary tote bag from Rustan’s Kids Club as a thank you.
The Angel Tree is available at Rustan's branches in Makati, Shangri-La, Alabang, Gateway, and Cebu, until Nov. 16, so don’t miss the chance to light up someone’s Christmas!
For Our Farmers
For Our Farmers connects you with farmers' children for their Project Hiling initiative.
The children have already written down their Christmas wishes, along with their names, ages, and communities. You may choose to purchase the gift or send an equivalent amount to the organization to buy the present on your behalf.
All you need to do is send them a private message on their social media page to grant a randomly selected wish list. Just send the following phrase: “I’ll grant ___ wish(es),” on their social media accounts.
Your gifts will be delivered to the communities by the team on their Gift Giving Day, and you will receive updates throughout the wonderful day!
Project Hiling is set to support their partner communities in Pangasinan, Tarlac, Caloocan, Zambales, and Nueva Ecija.
Blessed Little Gracious
Make these brave children smile by making wishes come true with Blessed Little Gracious’ Grant a Wish, Be a Santa program.
The wishes will come from 90 of their child patients, whose stories are shared on the organization's official Facebook page.
You can sponsor a child by donating their requested gifts, such as treats, school supplies, clothing, and toys. You may also gift food or monetary donations to the children. 50 children will have their wishes come true this Nov. 29, while 40 children will have theirs on Dec. 20.
Their BPI and GCash accounts are also open for donations, as stated on their social media account.
iVolunteer
Bayong as a present? It’s actually a good idea! iVolunteer’s virtual Christmas tree, aptly named iVoluntree, has made bayongs into meaningful presents.
On its website, you can browse the digital Christmas tree and find bayongs from 12 partner NGOs, including Aral Pinoy, ATD Fourth World, Binhi, Davao Durians, Davao Warrior Angels, iVolunteer, Mang Urot, Nature Awareness & Conservation, Philippine Eagle Foundation, Project Pearls, Tambayan Center, and We Lift Club. These organizations have their own wishlists, and you can help fulfill them to support their initiatives.
To donate, create an account and log in. Then, choose a corresponding bayong and click Donate. Enter any amount you wish to donate and proceed with payment.
The website houses more information about its partner NGOs if you’re curious about their work.
Helping Wands Society
Now in its second year, Helping Wands Society’s Grant A Wish initiative aims to make this Christmas even more magical.
This year, it will be partnering with Bahay Aruga Pediatric Cancer Patients and Cablao Elementary School in Quezon to spread Christmas joy. You can help the organization by sponsoring and delivering gifts.
Just shoot them a message on Facebook for more details. After all, the Christmas magic is made by helping hands.
Saint Paul University Manila
Whether you’re a Paulinian or just a generous Santa, SPU Manila’s ‘Grant-A-Wish-Tree’ is sure to make this Christmas merrier and brighter for the university’s maintenance personnel and staff.
Choose any numbered tag from the tree and find the wish behind it. The circled tag is split in half, with the top half showing the wish and the bottom half showing your contact information. Tear the circle in half and submit your contact information in the provided drop box.
The Grant-A-Wish-Tree is located in SPU Manila’s Pedro Gil Lobby.