8th Infantry Division launches 'Project Shoebox'

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 22): 8th Infantry Division launches 'Project Shoebox'

The Catbalogan-based 8th Infantry Division has launched its own "Project Shoebox" during simple ceremonies at its headquarters last June 19.

Reports forwarded by Major Amado Gutierrez, unit spokesperson, Sunday said 9,000 shoe boxes containing school supplies and personal care items were turned over by Boyet Singson, representing 2GO Group Incorporated, to Dr. Eduardo G. Pabunan, representing the School Division Superintendent of Department of Education, Samar and Major Gen. Jet B. Velarmino, the Commander of 8th Infantry Division.

2GO Incorporated shipped the items from Metro Manila for free.

"Project Shoebox" was first launched by the U.P. Sigma Alpha Sorority and the 4th Light Armor Battalion, Light Armor Division in Camp Nakar, Lucena City in February 2012.

The project utilized a shoe box as a package, wherein basic school supplies and other personal care items were put into it and were distributed to selected elementary schools.

From then on, the Philippine Army and its subordinate units spearheaded the same project that helped tens of thousands of families who have hard time buying school supplies for their children.

As of 2013, recipient students were placed at 116,096 from 381 public elementary schools located in different parts of the Philippines namely: Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, Bicol region, Compostela Valley, and Davao Oriental.

“This is a simple way of letting our elementary students feel that your Army here in Eastern Visayas and other stakeholders show our simple but genuine concern for their welfare,” Velarmino concluded.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=655770