The “ber” months are here! That means it’s officially the start of the Christmas season in the Philippines. I am proud to come from the country that has the longest Christmas celebration in the Christian world – from the First of September all the way to the Epiphany or Three Kings Day in January.
So now that it’s officially Christmas, I want to tell you about a special Edge Radio project called…
“THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS”
The First Day of Christmas is all about bringing the spirit of Christmas to places where it’s needed most. We gather decor donations from people and then spend an entire day decorating an orphanage together with the children and afterwards, we spend time with them sharing the story of the First Christmas.

Owie Burns of The Edge Radio shares the Christmas Story with oirphans from the Jesus Loves the Little Children Foundation
Last year, we were able to raise enough Decor Donations to decorate not just an orphanage (The Jesus Loves the Little Children Foundation), but also the Rehabilitation Ward at PGH (the Philippine General Hospital).
Friends who had no decor to give, sent food, clothing, books and toys. In fact, we received a huge box of toys from Channel 9 while Chow King sent lunch for the children and the volunteers. Galleria Crafts, which is owned by the Grupe family, donated 3 boxes of new Christmas decor while Actor Sam Concepcion’s family sent a ‘Jesus birthday cake’ plus boxes and boxes of Krispy Kremes! The Edge Radio supplied hot chocolate with marshmallows and a hoarde of volunteers. Then CBN Asia’s Operation Blessing and Precious Cross Christian Church joined the effort by sending thier teams with bags of goodies and a huge box of slippers and other personal items for the PGH patients.

Last minute decorating before the party begins
It didn’t end there! Many kind-hearted friends in America who wanted to help, sent cash donations through Pay Pal.
And I can go on and on with all the donations we received and all the wonderful people who volunteered their time to make the First Day of Christmas a wonderful one for everybody involved.

Aia de Leon, singer of the rock group Imago poses with PGH patients. She did a surprise performance for them!
If you would like to participate in this year’s First Day of Christmas, here’s what you can do for now:
1) Pray about how you can help.
2) Go through your bodega and see what Christmas decor you can give away. If it’s Mom’s decor, make sure to ask permission, LOLOL!!! Don’t be the Grinch whole ’stole’ Christmas Decor.
3) Blog about it or feature this article in your Facebook or Multiply or Friendster.
4) Leave a comment and just say you’re interested to help but don’t know how yet. I will contact you via your email.
5) Stay tuned to this blog!!!

PGH Rehab patient Mang Rey receives his own coffee table Christmas Tree from Joyce (that's me!) courtesy of Galleria Crafts.

Eman, one of the orphans at the Jesus Loves the Little Children Foundation, enjoying his Chowking rice meal.

Let the Christmas show begin!!!

Ronnie, an electrocution survivor, still smiles in spite of missing limbs.