MANILA – Volleyball superstars in the country are lending their hands via a program that aims to give back to the health workers serving as frontliners versus the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
Dubbed as “#ServeOurFrontliners: RAFFLES FOR HEROES,” the program organized by the Volleyball Community Gives Back to the Philippines (VCGBPH) aims to provide personal protective equipment (PPEs) for the medical frontliners.
Under the program, volleyball fans may purchase raffle tickets costing P300 each in a chance to win jerseys, training shirts, shoes and other volleyball memorabilia.
Leading the VCGBPH organization, which was formed during the wake of Typhoon Yolanda’s devastation in 2013, are former Ateneo Lady Eagles stars Alyssa Valdez, Amy Ahomiro, Gretchen Ho, Charo Soriano and Angelique Gervacio.
Valdez said: “I read the news everyday about the battles of our doctors, nurses, health workers, and frontliners. I wanted to help them to ease their pain, their burden.”
“So I was speaking with Pablo Cabahug about his efforts to produce PPEs in his shop. And he mentioned that they are having difficulty sourcing materials. So I contacted Ate Cha and said it’s time we revive VCGBPH,” she added.
Soriano, for her part, said that the VCGBPH is initially eyeing to produce 2500 personal protective equipment (PPE). However, the organization hopes to make more for the frontliners.
“Most of the suppliers of PPEs that we contacted can only deliver in 2-3 weeks. So one option that we thought of is to buy the raw materials and give them to the numerous sewers and designers. This way, we can produce of PPEs as soon as possible,” she said.
Among the players who pledged to join the cause aside from the ones mentioned above are Amanda Villanueva, Nicole Tiamzon, Kathy Bersola, AJ Pareja, Tatan Gata-Pantone, Sue Roces, Sasa Devanadera, Thang Ponce, Jen Nierva, Jen Reyes, Kath Arado, Ella de Jesus, Sisi Rondina, Bernadeth Pons, Dennise Lazaro, Jema Galanza and Deanna Wong.
For more details on how to join the RAFFLES FOR HEROES, volleyball fans can visit the Volleyball Community Gives Back Facebook page and @vcgbph on Instagram and Twitter./PN
