Super Typhoon Rai, locally known as Odette, made landfall in Visayas and Mindanao last December 16, 2021. The violent winds, torrential rains, floods, and storm surges left thousands of families homeless. It did not help also that it happened a few days before Christmas making the tragedy a bit more for people to handle.
Because of this, Operation Smile Philippines launched “Oplan Smile!”
Working hand in hand with Operation Smile Student Programs Philippines and Hope Foundation – we gathered resources from donors to send to our countrymen in need.
But one of the biggest challenges was getting donations from Manila to Visayas and Mindanao.
This is where AirAsia came flying into the rescue.
As a partner of Operation Smile Philippines, AirAsia was quick to charter mercy flights to bring your donations for our brothers and sisters in Visayas and Mindanao. The whole process was seamless and from packing and putting the donations on the plan to getting them on the ground for people to use.
AirAsia CSR Lead, Kevin Samonte (L) with Manny Delco, OSP (R)
Oplan Smile
Aside from being able to give relief supplies to Bacolod, Oplan Smile was able to gather Php 108,802.25 online monetary donations from different individuals and groups, some are even from abroad. This is on top of the initial budget we have for 150 families. Together with Operation Smile Student Programs Philippines, we will be able to reach out to 1200 more families as we also received in-kind donations.
The monetary donations we received are being used in buying basic necessities and COVID sanitation kits for families in Cebu.
Our goal is to help more families in the coming days ahead, may we invite you to take part in this initiative by donating through:
GCash – Carolynne A. – 09276258597
PayMaya – Carolynne Arriola – 09778067509
