Rizza Torno and Mom Josette

In last year’s “First Day of Christmas” event, where we decorated an orphanage and a hospital ward,  I was deeply blessed by the presence of a good friend of mine – Rizza Torno – who brought a truck-load of cookies she baked herself for the 25 orphans at Jesus Loves the Little Children Foundation.

Rizza Torno (left) 'guarding' the cookies etc. with Edge volunteer Ditas Pangilinan

Far more amazing was that Rizza brought her Cancer Warrior Mom Josette Torno to the 2nd decorating event at the Philippine General Hospital. They were both there with ANOTHER truck-load of homemade cookies!!!

During the little show we prepared for the rehab patients, Josette felt so moved that she took off her brand-new sneakers (they were bright ORANGE) and asked us to give them away. So we held a little ‘Cinderella’ contest on the spot and gave the the designer sneakers away to one VERY happy lady who had the right feet.

I remember the topic of our conversation that day so clearly: Josette was telling me about the medicines she had to pick up that day and how expensive they cost. She found a cheaper source and planned to go pick them up after the decorating event at the ward.

While she was telling me all this, in my head I kept wondering where Josette found the strength to volunteer when she was fighting such a strong enemy. We share the same amazing GOD, the source of all our strength but I still kept wondering…

You see, Josette has been battling breast cancer for the past few years. They thought they had it licked, but a year and a half ago, it returned and somehow spread to her bones. After a series of chemo and radiation treatments doctors say the cancer is still there but has somehow stopped from progressing.

Josette Torno and daughter Rizza

Each day is precious to this woman and her family – her daughter Rizza and her two sons Kiko and Marty, her husband Fransico; they all struggle with the day to day realities of taking care of a loved one with cancer. Through the pain and the cost, Josette and Rizza make time to share with others.

I hope that encourages you, like it does me. Josette and Rizza are God’s reminder to us that we can all rise above the worst situation in life.

Thanks so much Josette… and Rizza…  you both rock our world. We’ve got you in our prayers and we are claiming perfect healing!!!

This year, one of the places The Edge Radio team plans to decorate with your donated Christmas decor is a cancer sanctuary  for children. Please stay tuned for the details; we will update you in the coming days.

If you want to donate your old (or new) Christmas Decor, please text 0918.959.EDGE or call 3390140 during office hours, M-F, to get more information!

We have drop off points for your decor donations in Alabang, Makati, Pasig, Quezon City and Marikina.

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.

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