Last week another tropical storm caught hit us with unimaginable force and unbearable amount of rain. Sendong (Washi – International Name), evidently rekindled the dreadful events of the 2009 Ondoy incident, as it hit the southern part of our country leaving most parts of Mindanao in state of calamity. It’s sad to think about that for the past years we always see our nation go against the odds right before our most loved season, which is Christmas.

As I have watched the news earlier today the current casualties, more or less reached 1000 already. In addition according to Red Cross’ site it affected 13,924 families, leaving 245 injured, and 807 reported missing. 38,332 persons are still housed in evacuation centers across the region.

I have collated some options that you can do to help Sendong victims (click on the link of the medium you want to use and for more details on how to donate). You could help through:

1.   The Philippine Red Cross – They have lots of options for you to share any resources you can share, in cash or in-kind. They have online donation via Master Card, different bank accounts, Megalink, GreenPeso – PayPal, Bancnet, and GCash.

2. Donate via SMS (Under Red Cross)

• SMS: Text RED<space>AMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4143 (Smart)

• G-Cash: Text DONATE<space>AMOUNT<space>4-digit M-PIN<space>REDCROSS to  2882

You can donate the following denominations:

Globe: 5, 25, 100, 300, 500 or 1000
Smart: 10, 25, 50, 100, 300, 500 or 1000

3. Department of Social Welfare and Development – The DSWD, has many options as well, aside from donations, they are also accepting volunteer workers.

4. ABS CBN Sagip Kapamilya – you can send your donation directly at their office or through these banks BDO, PNB, BPI.

5. GMA Kapuso Foundation – is accepting donations in cash or in-kind but it is preferred to give cash, since, as mentioned the donated relief goods are repacked on site. You could use any branch of UCPB, Metrobank, and Cebuana Lhuiller.

6. The Citizens’ Disaster Response Center (CDRC) – is a non-government organization involved in assistance and disaster management. Aside from donations, they are accepting volunteers as well.

7. National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council – The NDRRMC, has many options as well, aside from donations, they are also accepting volunteer workers.

8. LBC - LBC Accepts Donations for CDO Iligan Victims.  This information was shared by sir Crisostomo in the comments section, I added it on the list.

9. You can also coordinate with your offices, schools, and local barangay officials. By this time most of them have outreach and or assistance programs/committee setup specifically for Sendong victims that can accommodate your donations and services.

I have created simple posters and avatars which you can freely use on your blog and other social media sites. You can link it to any of the items I mentioned above or if you have a different link you can use it as well. You can also use them as profile pictures, avatars, or icons to promote the cause.

For profile pics, avatars, and icons (click images for actual size):

Pray For Mindanao Small	Pray For Mindanao Big

For banner links (click images for actual size):

Help Mindanao Small	Help Mindanao Big

This is an opportunity for each and every one of us to help our brothers and sisters, our kababayans that were greatly affected by this unfortunate event.  Let us lend our hand and extend the true meaning of Christmas.

There are much more ways for us to help, even the simple ones matter and can make a huge difference. It’s not about what we give or to what extent.   As I remember in one of Bishop Soc Villegas’ homilies, he mentioned that the value of giving is not on how many or how much you give, but rather on how much you leave behind.