A Thousand Kilos More. And Fresh Starts

CEBU, Philippines - Clothing donations which reached 5,000 kilograms (surpassing last year’s 4,000 kilos) were washed, tumble dried, ironed and folded before these were turned over to “Kapamilyas” affected by the recent T. Padilla and Kamputhaw fires in what can be dubbed as the “biggest act of kindness one can give to those in need.”

Electrolux Philippines, Inc. and ABS-CBN Central Visayas/dyAB “Tabang Patrol” gave a “fresher smell and more ironed out angle to charity” by initiating the Electrolux Charity Wash event at the Metro Gaisano - Ayala Center Cebu sidewalk last August 13 for the benefit of over 700 individuals rendered homeless by the said fires.

The ceremonial first wash was led by Denis Alingod, Human Resource manager of Electrolux. Guests of honor like Metro’s Christina Gaisano and Electrolux general manager Malu Estaris loaded front load washers and all together hit the start button to signify the first wash. It was learned that the front load washers used have an 8-kilo loading capacity each, with a 1200 RPM (revolutions per minute) spin speed, and a six level time manager.

“These used clothes can bring warmth and comfort to our brothers and sisters. These can symbolize fresh starts from them, as they receive these from us good as new. To those who donated, these clothes certainly make a world of difference to those in need. So here’s a thousand kilos more of old clothes and fresh starts. Let the washing begin,” Alingod said.

Meanwhile, Electrolux sales director Dexter Ngo led the ceremonial ironing and folding of the donated clothing.

“Before we turn over these clothes to Tabang Patrol,” he said, “we want to go an extra mile to make sure that our beneficiaries would get the maximum comfort we could provide. We were thinking that a little more comfort could go a long way that is why we are not only washing the clothes, we are also ironing and folding them.”

As for Estaris, she said that these clothes signify the magnitude of kindness that the Filipino people can give to one another. “Through these donations, we’ve shown that we can come united despite social differences. We’ve shown that we can wholeheartedly share warmth and comfort to those in need.”

Apart from its commitment to designing products that are environment friendly, Electrolux goes beyond consumers’ concerns to addressing the needs of the community such as providing clothing to the impoverished and preserving the environment for future generations. “Hence our slogan: Thinking of you,” Terry Sales, marketing manager, emphasized.

According to him, their washers do the work with less energy, use far less water, and detergents. “We are committed to improving your lives through convenience, practicality, and through supporting the communities in which you live,” he added.

Event carried the slogan “A Thousand Kilos More of Old Clothes and Fresh Starts’. Last year, victims of a Mandaue fire and of the Ondoy flooding in Luzon became the recipients. Further, it was described to be a big success with 4,000 kilos of clothing donations and a Silver PANATA (Philippine Association of National Advertisers Truth in Advertising) Award to boot.