55 Coke Barkada volunteers join ‘Servathon’

“Volunteerism is not a choice, it’s a responsibility,” this is what committee chair of the 2009 Hands On Manila Servathon Gianna Montinola emphasized when 32 companies gathered together for a day of volunteer service last October 10, 2009. Now more than ever, this holds true especially with the destruction that typhoon Ondoy brought to parts of Metro Manilanearby towns of San, particularly Pasig and Marikina and to Mateo and Cainta in Rizal.
The typhoon caused flood that practically drowned Metro Manila. But, where people and houses were submerged, there surfaced many heroes—most of them everyday people—who did what they can to help those who were affected, in one way or another.
For their share, the Coke Barkada—composed of 55 employee volunteers—became heroes as well when they participated in a relief distribution project and feeding program for the victims in barangays Sitio Payong and Sta. Elena, Quezon City. This was part of the Hands On Manila Servathon, an annual event where volunteers from various private companies participate in a day of various community service.
At the project site in St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Old Balara, Quezon City, Coca-Cola employees were tasked to repack 500 bags of relief goods. These were later on distributed to 500 affected families. Simultaneously, they also hosted a feeding program. The volunteers served a bowl of arroz caldo for breakfast to around 50 children from the said communities.
Jim Caranto, one of the volunteers who came to Servathon said that even after giving cash donation, he felt that wasn’t enough.
“Kahit dun man lang makatulong pa,” Jim said. This is the first time he volunteered in a company activity although he had been making similar efforts in their barangay.
For Darwin De Alday, volunteering was more than just wanting to help. “As a victim of the flooding myself, I can relate to what these people are going through.” Knowing there were others who were more in need, he decided to join.
“Volunteering was fun,” Christine Melic, another volunteer, said. Having transferred to Head Office Finance from Naga Plant last July, she said that the event was also a good chance for her to meet new friends.
After their respective volunteer activities in various project sites, all 1,075 volunteers gathered at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay for the culminating event. The volunteers were treated to a hearty buffet lunch and were recognized during the program that was hosted by celebrities Marc Nelson and Dyan Castillejo.