Bacolodnon Latter-day Saints Help #LightTheWorld in Kabankalan City

The Bacolod and Bacolod North Stakes (dioceses) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints decided to #LightTheWorldWithLove in Kabankalan City on 21-23 December 2021 as volunteers handed over donations and lent helping hands to help clean homes of families destroyed by Typhoon Odette.

Despite a distance of 124 miles, the volunteers were able to gather and deliver donations due to the urgency of the need which included the following: 200 food packs, 200 gallons of mineral water, canned goods, clothes, and an additional five sacks of rice  donated by the Rover's Scouts.

The goods received were extended to the areas of Purok Paraiso and Lupni in Barangay Hilamunan, Barangay 1, Ayucotan of Barangay 9, Coloso of Barangay 6, and Luzville of Barangay Talubangi and a district hospital.

"They were there to rescue. They gave us the hope to keep our faith. Their effort to come here is greatly appreciated, and it has been a success," were the words that President Thelmo Navarra of the Binalbagan Philippines expressed.

In addition, the Bacolod Philippines Stake also gathered and delivered twelve sacks of rice, four boxes of canned goods, three boxes of instant noodles, twelve boxes of water bottles, fifty water containers, eight bags of clothing, candles, biscuits, toiletries, and other necessities.

Led by Presidents Rossen Bon Escobar and Rollin Pioquinto, the volunteers transported donated goods and cleaned homes. The day before the handover of donation, President Alvin Dy assisted the Relief Society [women's organization] volunteers in repacking goods.

Following the handover, the volunteers divided into smaller groups to assist and visit with families who had been in areas significantly battered by the typhoon.

One of those visited by the volunteers, the De Leon family, recounted their experiences of staying on their roofs before being evacuated to the barangay shelter.

Sister De Leon said, "Wala gid kami nag haum nga amo ni ka grabe ang halit sang bagyo sa amon balay” [We never expected the typhoon to wreak so much damage to our home].

The volunteers also assisted with clearing of uprooted trees and cleaning mud-strewn floors and homes.

She added, “Kung kami lang ni ka pamilya ko maninlo sang balay, siguro malab-ot isa ka bulan para matapos, pero ara gid kamo nagbulig nga maibanan ang ini nga kabudlayan. Gani, madamo gid nga salamat!”. [If my family and I were the only ones cleaning our house, I think it would take us a month to complete it but you relieved us of that burden. Thank you so much!]

The unity of the Bacolodnon saints highlights their desire to follow the teachings and example of Jesus Christ to help and serve others in need. #LightTheWorldWithLove is a Church initiative to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and inspire people to serve others during the Christmas season.