The joy of sharing one’s blessings

CHRISTMAS VILLAGE OF HOPE AT THE NORTH WING OF SM CITY CEBU 

There are 101 ways to share your blessings this Christmas season.

While the latest iPhone, a designer bag, or a trip abroad may make many people happy, there are those who will most appreciate  gifts that keep on giving—like love.

This Christmas, spread cheer and share your blessings  with cancer-stricken children under the Kythe Foundation, Inc. through the Christmas Village of Hope.

On its ninth year, check out the new   features in this  growing community of miniature houses, amusement rides, and moving trains—a Disney-themed corner where you can see Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse along with other Disney characters.

“Since it’s already Christmas, it’s also time for giving. If you want to help children with cancer, you can adopt a house in the Christmas Village of Hope.

The money will be used to help the children in their chemotherapy sessions,” said Chrystal Mae Peler, staffer of Kythe Foundation who mans the donation booth at the Northwing.

The Christmas Village of Hope is located at the Northwing of SM City Cebu. It houses  744 items which include mini houses, amusement rides, moving trains and mini electronic billboards spread all over the display area, which is divided into different sections.

They are  a seaside area, a mountainside area, an amusement park, and a North Pole-themed corner.To donate, one just has to sponsor or adopt an item in the village. Prices range from P5,000 to P25,000.

Lighted houses cost P5,000, while moving structures like amusement rides cost P10,000.

Meanwhile, moving trains cost P20,000 per carriage, while electronic billboards cost P25,000.

A chemotherapy session for a  sick child costs P5,000. Once you donate, your name or your company’s name will be posted on the structure that you have adopted.

The Christmas Village of Hope was conceptualized by couple Clayton and Joji Tugonon. They   own the entire collection displayed at SM City Cebu.

They lent their prized collection  in support of Kythe Foundation and for the benefit of some  100 children with cancer whom they sponsor in Cebu.

For their part, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Vice President Marissa Fernan affirms  the mall’s continued involvement  in the   fundraising activity.

“We support it mainly because it’s for a good cause.

Also because it’s good for everyone. It’s good for Kythe so they can raise funds. It’s good for us since we have an attractio. It’s good for the children.

And it’s good for the Tugonons as they have an outlet for their collection,” she said. The first ever Christmas Village of Hope was set up in a hotel.  Fernan recalled that the moment she saw the village, which was still very small back then, she immediately wanted to bring it to SM.

So on its second year up to  now, SM City has been the home of this miniature village. This is also compatible with  SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Executive Committee Chairman Hans Sy’s  advocacy to help  children with cancer.

Even before the launching of this year’s Christmas Village of Hope last Nov. 11, Fernan was delighted to share that the fundraiser already had an initial pledge amounting to  P1.3 million.

For those who want to donate, they can do so by approaching the Kythe Foundation table beside the display at the Northwing.

The entire set-up is by artistic decorator Roberto “Bob” Pacaña,  who was tasked to lay out  the figures and the sections  to the last tree for the past nine years.

His being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease  since seven years ago doesn’t not stop him from doing the job. “For as long as I’m alive, I will continue to do this. My inspiration are the kids of Kythe Foundation.

I just hope people would continue to support these kids with cancer,” he shared.

Pacaña, who lives in Barangay Labangon, Cebu City, has been decorating the house of the Tugonons in Mandaue City for more than 25 years now.

So when the couple decided to start the Christmas Village of Hope, the 49-year-old Pacaña was just as happy to lend a hand.

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