Philippine Center Update January 2020
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 is open every 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month. It has provided medical care for 3,723 under and uninsured people who have visited the Clinic 16,433 times since October of 2000. Free medical services have amounted to $3,713,410 up to end of 2019. This included medication and laboratory services which were calculated and added to the statistics starting in 2010. In 2019, 713 patient visits were made to the Clinic, at a cost of $ 198,040, for medical services (by doctors and nurses), medication, vaccines, flu shots, laboratory, xrays and other treatments provided free to the patients. Grants from PMA-W, FC Potawatomi Foundation, Catholic Community Foundation and other foundations 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. The next Health Fair will be on Saturday, August 15, 2020.
"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 the St. John’s Cathedral Food Program for the homeless.
The PCCCF’s Munting Tinig Children’s Choir, directed by Ms. Sheila Jackson, performed at the Regency Senior Communities in New Berlin last December.
The Philippine Independence Day celebration on June 13, 2020 is being planned at the Philippine Center. Watch out for further announcements.
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 and 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 time for the Philippine Independence Day celebration.
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