Fall into Giving: An Unforgettable Celebration of Generosity

Food at Fall Fundraising

Our recent fundraiser, "Fall into Giving," turned out to be a truly inspiring event, filled with the warmth and excitement that comes when a community gathers for a shared purpose. As we approached the event date, we found ourselves a bit disheartened—just two weeks out, our RSVP list was far below our expectations, and we were unsure if our vision was resonating with enough people. But as the event drew closer, the guest list grew beyond our hopes, ultimately reaching over 80 attendees, doubling our original goal.

This surge of support led to last-minute preparations to ensure we had enough food and supplies for the larger crowd. Our chef, Dedy, a seasoned professional with years of experience, gave us reassurance, and as the night began, his delicious dishes set the perfect tone for an evening of celebration.

The atmosphere was lively and inviting, with our living room turned to a dance floor bustling with energy from the music of all decades including current hits. Guests enjoyed everything from line dances to the Cupid Shuffle and the Wobble. DJ Boni’s playlist encouraged even the most reserved guests to let loose and join the celebration. Our mixologist, Alen, elevated the experience with a creative array of cocktails. Alen arrived fully prepared, bringing along his own blender and two large coolers of spirits and cocktail mixers. He made inventive cocktails from margaritas and martinis to flaming shooters—a highlight that sparked conversation and laughter all around.

This year, we also introduced a new fundraising element: a raffle. Generous supporters contributed unique prizes, including a complimentary IV hydration service from AlteRNaDRIPS donated by our cousins, Irene Aidasani and Kathy Yan, and a 1-week stay in a private cabin in South Lake Tahoe donated by a Terry Nunley, a supporter from Kaiser hospital. The raffle added a special touch to the evening, generating both excitement and additional funds to support our mission.

What made the evening even more meaningful was the opportunity to connect with new supporters who share our passion for uplifting communities in the Philippines. Honesto Lucero, a new attendee, was especially moved by our mission and even shared our flyer with the Knights of Rizal in the UK during the event. Thanks to his efforts, they committed to printing a full-page ad and 500 copies of our flyer to help us raise awareness.

Our deepest gratitude goes out to the dedicated PR team from Kaiser (Rosie Dela Cruz, Isolde Veluz, Clarice Santos, Connie Quinones, Arlene Babano) who worked tirelessly to spread the word about our foundation, encouraging people to come to the fundraising event and even inspiring many to donate if they couldn’t attend. They organized raffle ticket sales before and during the event, contributing significantly to our fundraising success.

We’re also incredibly thankful to our dedicated supporters who donated despite being unable to attend. Cathy Gissell and Happy Maligaya even prepared food for the event and ensured it was delivered, bringing the spirit of generosity even in their absence.

Our family’s support made a world of difference. My parents assisted Dedy with cooking and setting up tables.. My sister, Gelyn, and her husband, Rolf, arrived early to help with preparations and later stayed to assist with cleanup. My mom’s help with cleanup was an incredible relief, especially since William had to work the next day, leaving much of the cleanup to me. Her support made a big difference in wrapping up a successful evening.

“Fall into Giving” reminded us of the strength and generosity of our supporters and affirmed our mission to make a difference. We are deeply grateful to everyone who attended, donated, and brought such a wonderful spirit to the evening. Thanks to your support, this event was a celebration of hope, compassion, and shared purpose, helping give the less fortunate in the forgotten communities in Culion a real chance for a better life. We look forward to many more evenings dedicated to uplifting others and advancing our mission.