Volunteers – INC Giving Project

A Reason To Give

Being a nurse, one of my duties is to administer blood/blood products, and monitor patients requiring a blood transfusion. Therefore, it is normal in my line of work to see units of blood at the hospital being brought to patients’ rooms and to operating rooms. They are a dire necessity. They help save lives.

When I heard that there would be a blood donation drive sponsored by the Iglesia Ni Cristo again this year, in partnership with the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation, I was eager to participate. I donated blood for the first time last year, representing the same organization, and despite the challenge I had with my small veins, I decided to give it another try.

The first time I donated blood, the nurses had a difficult time locating my veins; it took almost 15 minutes just to find a good vein. I felt anxious thinking about how difficult it was the first time I donated, but thankfully, it was much easier this time. I felt relieved.

Sitting there, I realized that I was not well hydrated, and it took quite a while for me to fill up the bag. The next time I donate, I will make sure to drink plenty of water the night before and on the day of the event, so that I can stay well-hydrated — this will make the whole process easier and quicker.

When I finally finished, the nurses offered me juice and cookies. Afterwards, they also gave me a sticker that says “Be nice to me! I donated blood today” and a cute Band-Aid that says “I gave life”.

In speaking with my fellow volunteers at the Canadian Blood Services Clinic in Surrey, it was interesting to find that some of them have given blood numerous times in the past. One gentleman I talked to has donated blood over 25 times! Another lady said it was her 12th time!

Can you imagine the number of people those volunteers and donors have helped over the years?

I felt happy that I was able to do my small part in helping my community. As I was sitting there, I wondered about the individuals whom my small contribution will be able to help.

What are their stories? Why did they need to have blood transfusions?

Even though we don’t get to see the recipients of our donation, it is still a good feeling knowing that we can make an impact on another person’s life.

During my shift in the hospital that evening, the strangest thing happened: I had a patient who needed to have a blood transfusion, and while I was preparing to attend to him, I noticed that he happened to have the exact same blood type as me!

As I prepared the unit of blood, I smiled, and thought to myself — here is an individual in front of me who would benefit from the blood donated from donors like me.

This realization made a great impact on me. As I left the room, I proudly wore my sticker that says, “I donated blood today!” I felt even more inspired to continue to donate blood whenever I can. I hope anyone reading this would be inspired to do the same.

About the Writer:

Lou Aquino is an INC Giving volunteer from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. She is an active participant in INC Giving Projects and the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation.

Lou is a Registered Nurse in a Telemetry Unit, and looks after patients with cardiac conditions. Lou takes pride in helping others and believes that as a member of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) it is our duty to be kind and help those who are in need.

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.

Welcoming Refugees from DR Congo

Imagine living a life where your freedom and sense of security is taken away from you. There are many refugee families that have experienced much suffering and turmoil because of the wars that have been happening in The Democratic Republic of Congo. Due to the violence, many were forced to leave and relocate to refugee camps in Uganda.

Finding better opportunities in Canada

Many of those refugee families were fortunate enough to move to Canada to find better opportunities and a safe haven from struggles they experienced back in their home country. However, with this sudden transition come many challenges, such as learning new languages, adjusting to the climate, and dealing with culture shock. Indeed, it is very difficult to establish a new life but some took the risk for the sake of the future of their family.

Upon learning this, INCGiving volunteers decided to make this transition a little easier for these families by holding an INCGiving Outreach Program.

Creating a new community

INCGiving Volunteers, Fey and Dan Aviles, who have a friendly relationship with one of the families from Congo, stated that, “As I got to know her, and their family, I found them as religious people. That’s when we started to invite them to attend our bible studies. They are very involved during the preaching of the words of God.”

Much to their surprise, they consistently showed their interest in the words of God and continued to bring their whole household to hear the doctrines of the Church of Christ.

Realizing that many more refugees have recently arrived in Canada, this sparked an idea by the members in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, to conduct an Outreach Program.

Weeks before the Outreach event, the INCGiving volunteers gathered donations given by the brethren of the Local Congregation of Winnipeg South and Central Canada Region. They prepared relief bags; which contained non-perishable foods, such as canned foods and personal hygiene items. The volunteers also prepared clothes; especially ones that were suitable for the extreme weather conditions in Canada.

Faida Mbwiriza, who has been attending Bible studies invited many of her fellow countrymen was happy to see how welcoming all the volunteers were. When asked about those who she invited, Faida stated, “They liked the people here. And said they liked being here and really liked the people. I was happy to hear that too!”

Due to the current affairs happening throughout the globe, the members of the Church Of Christ have displayed an immense amount of effort in giving back to their community through the INC Giving Project. The INC Giving Outreach Program will continue to provide a lending hand to those in dire need.

In such a diverse community such as Canada’s, members of the Church of Christ stand as a whole in helping others despite cultural barriers.

Contributed by: Denisse Roque, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

INCGiving News: Families in Southern California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah Kick Off the New Year with a Community Clean Up

The start of a new year – many clean out their closets, dust off the cobwebs in their homes, or even sweep away bad habits; all, to improve their quality of life. But these INCGiving volunteers had even more plans – to clean up their city’s streets, to help improve the quality of life for their neighbors.

More than 1,100 volunteers consisting of young and old alike, individuals and families, started their year united in their cause to do good. Members in local congregations across Southern California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah took to the streets their care for their chapel surroundings and local neighborhoods in the District-wide INCGiving Project Community Clean Up.

“The Church of Christ provides for spiritual guidance, and your support in community projects such as neighborhood clean up in our city impacts quality of life,” said National City Vice Mayor Jerry Cano, in San Diego County. “Thank you for your continued efforts in making our community a great place to live, work, and play.”

More than 30 public parks, recreation centers and beaches were attended to, many in connection with their local government and community partners.

“Arroyo Grande Sports Complex was chosen by the Clark County for our group, because it is the most neglected park county in the area that needed much work and attention,” said Nevada resident Jerome Aguinaldo. “So we accepted and took the challenge to clean the complex and bring it back to life, while also propagating [the gospel] throughout the cleaning.”

Like Jerome, many INCGiving groups used the opportunity to not only clean their city’s streets, but also share the words of God along the way.

“We are truly blessed to have fulfilled our INCGiving Park Clean Up and we have coincided it with our God’s Message Magazine Saturation Drive … we were also able to share our faith with others by giving away free God’s Message magazines and pamphlets.”

Volunteers brought with them their faith and their willingness to make a difference; they also brought each other, a chance to spend quality family time together reinforcing strong Christian values.

Jewell Buenavista posted, “I love that our kids are learning the importance of helping our community.”

The INCGiving Community Clean up is just one of many outreach activities that are taking place around the world. Most recently, cities in Northern California held Winter Wear Drives and Neighborhood Appreciation Days, along with other community initiatives in Honolulu, Hawaii and Perth, Australia.

Janice Blanco states, “I love checking out the ‪#‎incgiving hashtags [on social media] and seeing that though we are from different parts of the world, we are united in the same activity.”

For more news on INC Giving Projects happening in your region, or details on how you can participate in a volunteer opportunity near you, visit incgiving.org or speak with your District’s Christian Family Organization officers!

Community Clean Up Sites
Van Zanten Park, El Cajon
Boys & Girls Club, Temecula
El Toyon Park, National City
Sycamore Grove Park, Los Angeles
Valyermo Park, Irvine
Alma Hoffman Park, Montclair
Jane Reynolds Park, Lancaster
Wilson Park, Torrance
Arroyo Grande Sports Complex, Las Vegas
Victory Park, Pasadena
Otay Main Road, San Diego
La Jolla Shores, San Diego
Siemon Park, Bakersfield
Barnes Park, San Gabriel Valley
Mason Park, Woodland Hills
Collett Park, Corona
Los Cerritos Park, Long Beach
Chuck Pontius Commuter Rail Trail, Santa Clarita
Cecil Park & Kalibo Park, Delano
Guajome Park, Vista
Phoenix Chapel compound
Selleh Park, Tempe

Photos Contributed By: Southern California – Bro. Andy Canlas, Bro. Gebb Barrientos, Bro. Nelson Salvatera, Bro. Gavin Johnson, Bro. Rj Mangona, Sis. Letty Alda, Sis. Jewell Buenavista, Sis. Tess Herreria, Bro. Henry Papa, Bro. Jordan Sevillano