Philippine Center Update January 2021
By: Gerry Ramos, AIA - Executive Director and Jojo Agoncillo Ramos - Activities/Special Projects Director
On behalf of the Philippine Cultural & Civic Center Foundation, Inc. (PCCCF), we would like to thank all our volunteers, donors and supporters for their continued commitment to support the Philippine Center and its projects.
The Free Medical Clinic (FMC) is the natural result of the PCCCF’s commitment to providing services which would otherwise be too difficult or costly for some people to attain. The FMC continues to thrive through team work and effort put into its operation. We thank our volunteers, led by PMA-W doctors who tirelessly volunteer to see the continually growing number of patients; the Dispensary group and the PNAWI nurses who man the triage area; volunteers at the reception, records, patient traffic and lab; likewise the cleaners who keep the Philippine Center in order. We thank all our lunch donors who make sure that our doctors, nurses and all volunteers are well-fed and nourished.
The PCCCF Free Medical Clinic (FMC) is open every 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month. It has provided medical care for around 3,733 under and uninsured people who have visited the Clinic close to 16,755 times since October of 2000. Free medical services have amounted to $3,806,320 up to 2020, including medication and laboratory services which were calculated and added only starting in 2010. Due to the necessary precautions and CDC guidelines regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic, the FMC was not open per our regular schedule. We were closed from March through June 2020 to comply with the guidelines and in December 2020 due to severe cold and heavy snow. We were able to see patients only on a drive-thru basis from July through November 2020, so only 313 patient visits were made to the Clinic, at a cost of $92,940 for medical services (by doctors and nurses), medication, vaccines, flu shots, laboratory, x rays and other treatments provided free to the patients. Grants from PMA-W, Forest County Potawatomi Foundation, Catholic Community Foundation, and donations helped sustain the FMC.
The 7th PCCCF Health Fair in partnership with the Milwaukee County Parks, FC Potawatomi Foundation and organized by the Philippine Nurses Association of WI, with participation from the Greenfield Health, Police and Fire Departments, Children Community Health Plan and other organizations was held last August 17, 2019. Services offered: Free screening for Allergy, Asthma, BMI, Breast Cancer, Cholesterol, Dental, Diabetes, Hypertension, Skin Cancer and Health & Safety Education. Games and Entertainment were also provided. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, there was no health fair held in 2020. The next Health Fair will be in August 2021.
"Lunch for a Cause" was held to raise funds to benefit the victims of the Taal Volcano eruption in the Philippines last January 2020. PCCCF was able to raise $ 9,198.30. The initial amount of $7100. covered for the donation and purchase of double size foldable foam mattresses. Arrangements were made with the Divine Word Seminary, SVD in Tagaytay City for the distribution of 135 mattresses to affected families in Laurel, Batangas evacuation center. Linda Ramos was at the turn-over and with the group who surveyed the devastated areas . A total of $1,459. raised online through Network for Good will also be forwarded and donated to SVD in Tagaytay to be used towards the rehabilitation purposes for Taal Volcano victims in Batangas.
Community Outreach Programs: These programs became possible through grants from the Forest Co. Potawatomi Foundation and New Threads of Hope.
Children’s Literacy Program: Children had a chance to be read to by Ryan Jerome Ramos, author of the children’s book “Bird and Snail”, and were taught how to do illustrations. In other PCCCF Children’s workshops, Linda Ravelo read to the children.
- Book Distribution - After the question and answer session , books were distributed to all attendees.
- Yoga - Toddlers to teens took part in children’s yoga with animal movements, a new addition to the program. Some parents joined in.
- Kohl’s Care Wildlife Theater - Children and adults were treated to a theatrical performance by actors from Kohl’s Care Wild Life Theater at the Philippine Center.
Clothing Distribution - Clothes were distributed by PCCCF in conjunction with the UPAAW Feed the Hungry Program at St. John’s Cathedral Food Program for the homeless and during the Fratney School Lunch Program. Clothes were also distributed to homeless veterans through the American Legion - Greendale Post 416.
The PCCCF’s Munting Tinig Children’s Choir, directed by Ms. Sheila Jackson, performed at the Regency Senior Communities in New Berlin December 2019.
Brick and Bench Fundraising - The PCCCF embarked on a fundraising project to beautify the area by the flag pole and monument signage in front of the Philippine Center. A brick walkway, pavement and landscaping will enhance the façade of the Philippine Center.
Bricks and Benches can be ordered to have your names or messages engraved.
The cost is as follows:
Bricks
- 4" x 8" $100 - 3 lines of 18 characters
- 8" x 8" $200 - 6 lines of 18 characters
Custom Granite Tiles - 16" x 16" $1500
Bench 4’ 0” wide $1500
*Design plans have been finalized and construction has begun. We are anticipating completion in late summer.
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