FOOTHILL RANCH, CA – January 27, 2010 – In cooperation with Quezon City General Hospital, Beta Sigma Fraternity, and the ABE Movement, the Arnel Pineda Foundation (APF) hosted its first medical mission, Mission of Hope, in Metro Manila, Philippines on January 14 and 16. This all-in-one mission provided basic medical, dental, and vision care services to the poor. With the help of over 250 volunteers including 70 medical doctors, dentists, and optometrists, the Mission of Hope benefited over 8,000 impoverished children and adults. All children were also given meals catered by Tamayo, and families also received assortment of dry foods and canned goods. Toys and other basic necessities were also given at the site.
With the recent tropical storm Ketsana, known locally as Ondoy, that hit Metro Manila back in September of last year, the APF Mission of Hope was able to aid those who have been affected by the devastation. “This medical mission is part of the emergency response to help the victims of the recent calamity, especially children, who have no access to medical care,” says Merlita Helms, APF President and Co-Founder.
Dr. Joseph Mendoza of Northern California, Dr. Emilie Yambao of Quezon City General Hospital, Dr. Nunez , Dr. Maria Luisa Vales of Southern California and Rommel Abesamis from the ABE Movement headed APF’s Mission of Hope. Medical mission coordinators included APF Board Member, Glenda Bule; So. California Fundraising Coordinator, Anabelle Abesamis; and Philippine Representative of APF, Miles Casala. Over 30 volunteers from the US also joined the mission as volunteers.
Corporate sponsors for the APF medical mission were eyewear companies Oakley, Oliver Peoples, and N3L Optics, as well as pharmaceutical companies Neoderm Inc., Centinela Hospital Medical Center, and Bayer Healthcare LLC. Major financial contributors included the legendary American rock band, Journey, the Josh Groban Foundation/Grobanites for Charity, the Golden State Warriors, and private donors. In addition, the Arnel Pineda Foundation raised over $40,000 since October 2009 for its Mission of Hope. The remaining funds will go towards 2010 street education programs.
About the Arnel Pineda Foundation
The Arnel Pineda Foundation (APF) is a 501 (c)(3) public charity foundation. Founded by Arnel Pineda, lead singer of the legendary American rock band Journey, APF was incorporated in October 2008 as a non-profit charity organization in the state of California. APF holds numerous fundraising events in various states and countries with its ultimate goal in mind - to provide essential needs that every child deserves, and to help provide a safe environment where they can learn, grow, and achieve by giving to the street children their hope which is education. For more information, please visit www.arnelpinedafoundation.org.
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FOOTHILL RANCH, CA – December 8, 2010 – The Board of Directors (“Board”) of the Arnel Pineda Foundation (“Foundation”) has approved Mr. Pineda’s recommendation to rename the Foundation. The Board has filed the necessary paperwork with the State of California and the IRS to effect the name change. Once it has been officially approved, the new name will be announced by the Board. The tax ID number will remain the same. The members of the Board and Foundation supporters remain fully committed to continue the Foundation’s charitable programs and projects to benefit the children of the Philippines.
“Other than the name change, the Board remains the same but for the addition of Ms. Dee Ferrer Karnad as a member. I will remain as an honorary Board member, supporter and endorser. I will attend events as my schedule permits while I manage my many career and familial obligations,” stated Mr. Pineda.
“The Foundation remains committed to providing donors and sponsors updates of how money and materials are distributed. A newsletter will be sent out quarterly to Foundation supporters to keep them informed of ongoing programs and new developments,” he added.
As an honorary Board member, Mr. Pineda will have no actual governing authority or responsibility, and will not be subject to any legal obligations after the Foundation’s name change.
“The Board feels very strongly about maintaining current programs and will continue to partner with other organizations and charities in the United States and the Philippines, expand its ‘Campaign Against Illiteracy’, including street school projects, continue its health outreach mission, and assist the scholarship students as they complete their educations,” added Ms. Merlita Helms, President and CEO of the Foundation.
Although the name is changing, the mission of the Foundation remains the same - to provide essential needs that every child deserves and to help provide a safe environment where children can learn, grow, and achieve.
“Your support has been tremendous to this organization. I am forever grateful for the level and passion of your support in which you have all participated in various fundraising events in your own ways. Thank you once again for your continued support during this transition,” Mr. Pineda concluded.
The Foundation has served over 19,000 street, underprivileged and special needs children and families through education, medical, dental and vision missions since its inception in 2008. It has provided medical treatment to children diagnosed with hydrocephalitis who require chemotherapy and procedures. On-going feeding programs, health outreach programs through deworming, Vitamin A supplementation, and health awareness programs have benefited many children who have no access to regular medical care.
In addition to providing school supplies, food and basic necessities, the Foundation presently supports 41 scholars with tuition and allowance. It has also sponsored its first learning center in Negros Oriental for 25 at-risk children from a poor and remote area where there is no access to education. In mid-2010, the Foundation extended its mission of hope through its “Campaign against Illiteracy.” In collaboration with the Angels of Hope USA, education, basic necessities and incentives to learn by providing food are now available for the “Aetas,” who are among the 110 ethnographic groupings that live in the most remote parts of the Philippine Islands, as well as the “Igorots’”. Sponsorships for 18 Aeta scholars and feeding programs for elementary school age children have been made possible through the generosity of Foundation supporters. The Foundation will continue to seek grants and conduct fundraising activities in the United States to fund its street education projects and the “Campaign against Illiteracy” to benefit the street children and the poorest of the poor living in the most remote regions of the Philippines.
About the Arnel Pineda Foundation
The Arnel Pineda Foundation (“APF”) is a recognized charity, registered under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Founded by Arnel Pineda and three of his friends in the U.S., APF was incorporated in October 2008 as a non-profit charitable organization in the state of California. APF holds numerous fundraising events in various states and countries with its ultimate goal in mind: to provide essential needs that every child deserves, and to help provide a safe environment where they can learn, grow, and achieve by giving the street children hope through education. For more information, please visit www.arnelpinedafoundation.org.