Environmentalists Turn Over Toys and Books to Doctors for Typhoon Yolanda's Child Victims

The EcoWaste Coalition today turned over to the Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS) donated toys and books for distribution to children affected by super typhoon Yolanda, particularly in Eastern Visayas.

Some 70 boxes and sacks of donations consisting of pre-loved as well as brand-new books and toys were handed over by the EcoWaste Coalition to PPS President Dr. Melinda Atienza at their headquarters in Quezon City.

The PPS, a professional organization of child physicians, and the EcoWaste Coalition, an environmental network, have joined forces to gift the children who survived Yolanda’s wrath in Tacloban City and adjacent places.

The EcoWaste Coalition sought toy and book donations from the public and had the toys screened for toxic metals using an X-Ray Fluorescence analytical device before turning them over to PPS for distribution to kids through PPS Eastern Visayas Chapter.

Only toys with no detectable levels of antimony, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead and mercury will be given to the child typhoon survivors.

At the simple turnover ceremony, Dr. Atienza thanked the EcoWaste Coalition for initiating the safe toy drive to meet the special need of children for things to read and play as they recover from their most traumatic experience.

“These toys and books will surely bring joy and hope among the affected kids who must have suffered a lot from the most dreadful calamity and I thank the EcoWaste for their most intuitive response,” said Dr. Atienza.

“May these gifts from bighearted donors cheer up children who are still coping from the loss of their loved ones and the obliteration of their homes and schools due to the monster typhoon,” said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition.

Among the generous toy and book givers were Brother Mike Velarde and his family, SM Toy Kingdom and many other members and friends of the EcoWaste Coalition, including young children.

The list of toy and book donors includes:

Thomas Marcelo Agana III
Juancho Accazaren
Sylvia Araneta
Kiko and Charlotte Benitez
Deng Ferrer-Carrillo
Maria Luz Catilo
Letty Co
Jaime and Julio Cochon
Marco Lean Dizon
Ayet Enrile
Vincent Joseph Garcia
Kier Gomez
Ace Herrera
Agapita Ibarra
Joie, Joshua and Jenine Illescas
Jeanette Jimenez
Gavin, Scarlet and Kendra Kramer
Anne Larracas
Ma. Victoria Herrera-Lim
Avy Gale Macaraan
Twinky Macaraig
Sonia Mendoza
Rannie Mercado
Anya Nisperos
Doris Novicio
Ofelia Panganiban
Payumo Family
Vanessa Perez
Abby Quiogue
Shine Relova
Isabel Reyes
Tiff and Tyler Reyes
Yolanda Sison Reyes
Chloe and Quad Roman
Velvet Roxas
Alvin and Anna Santos
Glazie Sy
Alene Tan
Grace Tan
Shally Vitan
Carlos Yturralde
Bro. Mike Velarde and Family
Fely Balifford Villamante
Eagle Court residents
Bumblebee & Company
SM Toy Kingdom
EcoWaste Coalition
University of the East Manila, Department of Libraries
University of the Philippines (Diliman), College of Engineering
And other affiliates and friends of the EcoWaste Coalition.

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