19 years of Caring

To some of us, it seems that it was not too long ago when PCF was born. In 1991 Mt. Pinatubo unleashed such a fury that the world witnessed the devastating effects of a natural disaster to a poor nation. The aftermath called for international assistance to address the needs of several thousands of displaced families without homes. In South Florida, a group of concerned Filipino Americans led by Fely Dizon, Nomy Ramirez, and William Sanchez met to set up a systematic process of reaching out to the poor devastated families and thus, PCF was born. It started as a concept in someone's kitchen. What followed afterwards were days and weeks of labor intent to establish the rudiments of an effective non-profit organization united in the motto:

"We care. If we don't, who will?".

Managed entirely by volunteers they labored to generate funds through solicitations, yard sales, formal dances, celebrations, and gatherings. In 1992, the projects started with the construction of artesian wells in Botolan, Zambales, housing assistance in Cawag Subic, and small capital loans to 20 families in Olongapo. The succeeding years witnessed more fund raising projects that included something as academic as a grant, as grand as a celebrity show, as formal as a gala, as neighborly as a mahjong session, as fun as a picnic, as pampering as a spa & beauty day, as rigorous as a yard sale under a sun that blistered, or as simple as selling the bar-for-a-dollar chocolate.

Poverty reduction projects and assistance continued including emergency relief assistance, soup kitchens, home rebuilding, scholarships, livelihood grants, food assistance and school supplemental feedings among others. Through typhoons, floods, mudslides, volcanic eruptions, fires, and garbage dumps PCF has assisted in the provinces of Zambales, Laguna, Bulacan, Cavite, La Union, Mindoro, Pangasinan, Surigao del Sur, Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Quezon, Leyte, and Aurora. In the National Capital Region (Region 1V) PCF has helped in Tondo, Sta Mesa, Quezon City, Pasig, San Mateo, and most recently Marikina. Locally, PCF also helped victims of disasters and has given recognition to the achievements of young Filipino Americans.

Just like any other organization PCF in its 19 years of existence has undergone "growing pains" that come and go sporadically with the dynamics of leadership and the spikes and downturns of memberships. However, the mission of PCF is so clear and distinct that it survives because of its commitment to CARING. PCF is not an organization of a few. It is an organization of many. It is YOUR organization. We, the officers, are merely the conduits of "exchanging hands" from you the benefactor to the recipient of your generosity. As each one of you contributes to the immediate cause at hand you become a committed member because YOU CARE. Let us celebrate our commitment to our mission of CARING. Let as proudly revel at our 19 years and look forward to more years to come.

"We care. If we don't, who will?"