SM City Baguio and SM Store have partnered with the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) Advisory Council to donate 1,153 LED light bulbs to four schools and turned over 900 Bears of Joy last February 17, 2020.
400 light bulbs were turned over to Baguio City National High school, 150 light bulbs for Apolinario Mabini Elementary School, 150 light bulbs for Manuel L. Quezon Elementary School, 300 light bulbs for Pines City National High school, and 153 light bulbs including 270 Bears of Joy to SPED Elementary School.
During the acceptance of the light bulbs, Manuel L. Quezon Elementary School Principal 1 Ellen Grande said, “We are very thankful for the donation. This is good timing, since we are in need of lights to help us prepare for CARAA.”
While the BGHMC Advisory Council Chair Ram Sharma said, “Thanks to SM and all the staff. You made all the public schools and SPED children very happy.”
Last year, over 900 Bears of Joy were donated and the remaining bears were turned over to the Baguio Museum and BGHMC.
As part of SM’s corporate social responsibility the Bears of Joy activity is a yearly event that happens around Christmas time. The Bears of Joy is a joint effort of SM Cares, SM Supermalls and Toy Kingdom.
SM City Baguio Assistant Mall Manager John Paul Arnaiz said, “For Bears of Joy, anyone can come and buy two bears, one to keep and one to donate. Sometimes, they buy two to give back to the children. It is one of our ways to give back to the community.”
For only P200, anyone can purchase two stuffed toy bears and donate the other one to the chosen beneficiaries. Each year, the bears are dressed in different costumes such as cheerleaders, ballerinas, pilots, firemen, and many more. To make the bears a little bit more special and to add a personal touch, the customer can choose to write a message or name their bear for the child who receives it.
Another upcoming CSR project is the Share-A-Toy campaign. This nationwide project is by The SM Store and Toy Kingdom. Every year booths were set up in all The SM Store and Toy Kingdom branches nationwide where mall goers can donate new and/or pre-loved toys to be given to young beneficiaries.
The toys will be distributed or donated early this year to the chosen beneficiaries.
By Jessica Joy A. Fernando
