THE past years have always had people counting down to the most wonderful time of the year when the ‘ber’ months roll in. Christmas carols fill the air, dazzling tree lights dot the streets, shopping for gifts becomes a sport and everyone else goes on a diet to make way for Christmas feasts.
This year may not be as festive as previous years, but it will most certainly be more meaningful. SM showed the most uplifting way to celebrate the season with its “100 Days of Caring,” featuring 100 days of spreading love, thoughtfulness and care for one another and for the communities surrounding the SM malls. The virtual event showcasing the pledges happened on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021 over Facebook Live and WatchSM on YouTube.
“100 days of Caring.” To kickstart the Christmas countdown, SM pledged to donate to over 10,000 beneficiaries, namely communities in need, hardworking SM employees, medical frontliners and dedicated delivery partners, among others. Some of the beneficiaries and their partner malls are as follows:
- SM North EDSA is giving 100 pairs of World Balance rubber shoes to seniors from Graces Home for the Elderly in Quezon City.
- SM Megamall, The Podium and SM Center Pasig chose delivery partners who will be recipients of 100 raincoats and rain boots.
- From SM Mall of Asia, 100 sets of care packages like face masks, face shields, Ensure milk, vitamins, supplements and more, will be handed over to senior citizens within the community.
- SM Southmall chose SOS Children’s Villages to receive various story and educational books.
- Metro Manila and Rizal malls chose several orphanages namely, Associacion De Damas Filipinas, Bahay Aruga, White Cross Orphanage and The Little Children’s Home to receive 100 toys and essential goods each, especially prepared by SM City Manila, SM City San Lazaro, SM City Sta. Mesa, SM City Taytay and SM Center Angono.
- In North Luzon, 100 Aeta families from Zambales and Tarlac will be given grocery packs by SM City Olongapo Downtown, SM City Olongapo Central and SM City Tarlac; fishermen in Pangasinan will be handed fishing supplies by SM City Rosales, SM City Urdaneta Central and SM Center Dagupan; while selected tricycle and jeepney drivers in Bulacan will be given 100 pairs of shoes by SM City Marilao, SM City Baliwag and SM Center Pulilan.
- SM City Bacoor will give 100 brail books to the Deaf and Blind Foundation Philippines.
- In the Visayas, SM City Cebu will bring smiles to kids of Kythe Foundation with 100 toys; while SM City Iloilo will give 100 25-kilogram sacks of rice to healthcare and peace and order frontliners. SM City Puerto Princesa on the other hand, will hand 100 grocery bags to displaced tourism personnel.
- SM City Davao and SM Lanang Premier will be handing out 100 farming tools to local farmers; while SM City Butuan will be giving 100 Fiesta Food Packs to Por Cristo Foundation Inc.
“Gift” for one’s mental health. Aside from one’s physical health being at risk during a pandemic, the mental health is also affected due to the stress and anxiety these times bring. And since SM believes in the value of taking care of one’s mental health, Dr. Gia Sison, M.D. DPCOM gave a “Call to Share” talk during the virtual launch. Dr. Gia Sison is a mental health advocate and co-founder of PH Leader Livestrong Foundation. Her talk centered on how to cope during this stressful time and still find hope in a better tomorrow.
100 voices that care. If there’s one thing that binds all Filipinos together, it’s their passion and love for music. While people may not be allowed to have big gatherings this year, SM entertained the audience with the performance of three divas—Rahda, Frenchie and Bituin Escalante—later on joined by 100 artists, singers and SM employees and stakeholders who came together to sing during the virtual launch on Sept. 16.
Everyone may be in the middle of a pandemic, times may be tough and many may be physically apart, but no one should forget what this season truly means. To view the event, one can go to WatchSM on YouTube.
For more information, one can visit its website at www.smsupermalls.com and follow @smsupermalls on all social media accounts. SPONSORED CONTENT