Jollibee and Aga bring Christmas to typhoon-hit schools

MANILA, Philippines - Now on its 15th year, the country’s biggest and longest-running toy and book donation drive has taken its spirit of giving to new heights through the Jollibee MaAga ang Pasko Caravan. To bring the joy of Christmas to those who need it most, Jollibee has visited over 35 schools in selected typhoon-affected areas in Metro Manila and Luzon bearing toys and books.

“Having seen the effects of the recent calamities on the lives of children, we decided to depart from our usual grand bash by bringing the celebration to them,” shares Albert Cuadrante, Jollibee marketing vice president. “Jollibee MaAga ang Pasko has gained such influence over the years and it is important for all of us at Jollibee, and to Aga Muhlach, that the campaign becomes not just a conduit of gifts, but also of hope to these kids and their families especially this 2009.”

Beyond the toy and book collection, the MaAga ang Pasko campaign also initiated the Volunteer Clean-Up drive, wherein members of the media, the partner schools and companies, Jollibee Foods Corp. and Jollibee Foundation cleaned and prepared the collected gifts for their beneficiaries. This made sure that the toys and books were as good as new.

The Jollibee MaAga ang Pasko Caravan visited mostly elementary schools, including those in Benguet, Pangasinan, Zambales, Laguna, Mari-kina and Pasig.

The toys and books distributed were donated by caring citizens — young and old alike — through their nearest Jollibee stores or through the Jolly Toy Scouts. The Jolly Toy Scouts are ambassadors, young and old alike, who have been helping collect and prepare the gifts since the campaign began.

The brand new workbooks and thousands of school supplies — especially packaged by National Book Store — distributed to some schools were made possible with the support of the Jollibee Foundation, Jollibee Franchisees Association as well as volunteers from the Jollibee Business Unit and Jollibee Worldwide Services Inc.