Firefighters – INC Giving Project

Replenishing the Edmonton Food Bank

The cold season in Canada is a difficult time for many families, including those in the Edmonton region.

Concerned for the community, INC Giving volunteers of the Edmonton region, came together to give a helping hand.

A food donation drive was initiated earlier this month. The INC Giving volunteers responded promptly and generously by buying and gathering non-perishable food items to donate to the Edmonton Food Bank. The support was overwhelming, and the volunteers felt joy in their hearts knowing that whatever they donated, helped numerous families in need. Volunteers empathized and understood that there was a need for food donations because many community members struggled to put food on the table for their families.

Boxes of donations were collected in the respective areas such as: Edmonton North, Edmonton West, Eastwood and Ellerslie in the Edmonton region. Then, two weeks later, volunteers gathered enough non-perishable food items to fill up to 445 boxes. Although the weather conditions were very cold in Edmonton, as many as 600 INC Giving volunteers came out to help the Edmonton Hagmann Fire Station and gave support to this Nation-Wide Campaign. INC Giving volunteers and firemen alike formed an assembly line, massing a stockpile of canned goods. Excitement and joy in the air were present, as boxes after boxes piled high at the fire station. The workers at the station working that day, could not believe the amount of food donated and the amount of volunteers who showed up to support this cause.

Chief Fireman, Tom Groot, expressed his gratitude to the INC Giving volunteers for their willingness to give so much to the community. Also, he stated that, “All these extra food will help people in need, such as the homeless, and will provide a good meal to help anyone in need to survive.” – Chief Fireman, Tom Groot

Contributed by: Jowella Mendoza

Jowella Mendoza is an active INC GIVING volunteer from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. She works at a bank and spends her free time with her family and friends. Despite her busy schedule, she understands the importance of giving back to those in need because she believes that donating is an important cause that everyone should take part in, even if it’s just during a few of the day.

INCGiving News: Unsung Heroes of Elizabeth, New Jersey

Members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) in the Local Congregation of Elizabeth, New Jersey yet again hosted an INCGiving Project. This time around, the volunteers wanted to recognize the brave policemen and firefighters of Elizabeth, New Jersey through the activity, “INCGiving Appreciation Day to the Policemen and Firefighters.”

No matter where you go in the world, it is not often that these hardworking individuals are acknowledged or the work they do in the community, and this was proven by the reaction of both departments when they became aware of the event.

According to one of the volunteers, Brother Ray Del Rosario, the original plan was to visit both the Police and Fire Departments on the Appreciation Day. But, when both departments got wind of this, they insisted on a different plan. Out of sheer joy at the thought of being appreciated, these service personnel felt it only right to express their gratitude to the members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo. So they volunteered to visit the chapel compound instead and conduct a joint seminar.

Around 1:00 PM, the first group of policemen arrived at the chapel compound in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and then the firefighters showed up as well not too long after. All of them were greeted by the smiles of the members as well as the youth of the Church dressed in either police or firefighter uniforms.

Once everyone was gathered in the Function Hall, the program proper began with Brother Ray Del Rosario acknowledging the presence of both departments, followed by the opening remarks and prayer by Brother Jojo Madlangbayan, Jr.

All of those in attendance were able to learn many safety tips through the seminars of both departments. The youth of the Church were the ones who benefitted the most. Not only were the children able to see their hometown heroes, but they were able to speak to them and take pictures as well. The policemen and firefighters could not emphasize enough just how appreciative they are of this kind of gesture from the Iglesia Ni Cristo. But the policemen and firemen were not the only ones appreciative of this act of kindness of the Church.

The following day, the Mayor of Elizabeth, Mr. Chris Bollwage, visited the brethren. He, along with both departments is very optimistic about the presence of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ) within the community.

Mayor Bollwage is very familiar with the members of the Church of Christ in Elizabeth. He is well aware of how generous and the brethren are to the community. Considering the over 30 years of the Church’s existence in Elizabeth, Mayor Bollwage, the police department, and the fire department are confident that the brethren are sincere in their willingness to help the community.

Mayor of Elizabeth New Jersey along with members of the Church of Christ.
Contributed By: Local Congregation of Elizabeth, Ecclesiastical District of New Jersey

Community Connection: ‘Gratitude Attitude’ Shared with Local Heroes

Community Connection: ‘Gratitude Attitude’ Shared with Local Heroes

When police officers and firefighters receive a call, they expect to respond to an emergency. Last week was different – instead of having to race to a crime scene with blaring sirens, or rescue those trapped inside a burning building, they responded to an invitation from the INCGiving volunteers of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC or Church Of Christ).

On February 27-28, local congregations of the INC throughout Southern California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah honored the men and women who sacrifice day in and day out to protect the community.

Youth members showed their support by writing cards of thanks to recognize their efforts in keeping them safe and for all the sacrifices they make when in the line of duty.

While some local congregations visited these servicemen and women at their stations, other regions paid tribute by hosting an appreciation event, featuring musical performances and presenting recognition plaques and gifts to the guests of honor.

In Long Beach, Calif., the Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD), Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) North Division, and LBPD East Division were invited to the chapel compound for an afternoon of fun, food, and friendly smiles to greet them.

Approximately 20 law enforcement officers were in attendance, with about 80 brethren providing their entertainment and showing their appreciation. In return, the firefighters gave tours of their fire trucks and police cars, sharing stories of what life is like as servicemen. One firefighter even showed scars from a fire he put out the previous day, stating it was “one of probably a hundred” in his career.

Commander Ruby Komisza of the LBPD North Division extends his “gratitude to everyone who made this event possible” in an email to Janice Blanco, one of the brethren who helped organize the local Police and Firefighter Appreciation Day.

Knowing how police officers and firefighters place their lives on the line to keep us safe, brethren took the time to express their appreciation in the spirit of giving.

Contributed By: Sister Mariel Dabu – Local Congregation of Las Vegas; Sister Lenn R. Cruz – Local Congregation of Long Beach;, Photos from the District of Southern California.