November 2009

The Philippines' record rain fall in the past two months was like
nothing they have ever seen in the past twenty years ... one typhoon
was twice the strength of Hurricane Katrina and left thousands of
people homeless, killing over 200 people.

The residents of Marilao, Bulacan was not spared ... the town was flooded
with 5 feet of water for the first time and all itsresidents had to sleep on the
2nd floor of the school for 5 days. Most of the families were left with nothing ...

For the past two months, a lot of our time have been concentrated on
rehabilitation and assistance. With your help, we were able to
assist in different ways:

1. We provided 120 MEAL PACKAGES containing canned goods and rice for 120 Families. Each package is enough to feed a family of 4 for 4 days.
2. We did a clothing drive and was able to collect over 2 truck loads of
   clothes for the victims
3. We shipped 1300-1500 Brand new t-shirts donated by CauseForce
   and the Weekend to End Breast Cancer Vancouver.
4. Since the families lost EVERYTHING they owned, they were left with no school supplies. We provided 1,200 notebooks and pens for the kids.  These families are dirt poor ... a pen and a paper costs $0.40 cents and they can't even buy that. Most families were left with a choice of food or school supplies.

Regardless ... we are so lucky to have hired a GREAT contractor who is trying really hard to stick with the schedule despite such adversities. They, too, have lost a lot of money due to the flood. Their vehicle and equipment
were underwater for a week. But the contruction is moving along ...

So far- we have raised $60,250.  To complete the project, our budgeted amount is $70,000-74,000. There's still work to be done and we have a couple of ideas on how to raise the last amount.  If you have any ideas ... please feel free to email me. 

July 2009

• So far, we have raised a total of $47,150
• We received 12 computers and 2 projectors from Dell Computers of Ottawa, Canada
• We are very excited during the ground breaking on July 15 ... below are photos of the construction site as of July 25, 2009:

MAY 2009

Thanks to you, we have raised an outstanding $43,000 within a couple of months! And because of your generosity, what we had planned as a 400 sq ft library has now become a 1,200 Learning Center with computers, audio visual room, after school programs, scholarships, sports equipments, art supplies and so much more.  

Our budget to complete the Learning Center is $50,000 to $55,000.  A committee of truly committed supporters is now mapping out a plan to raise the additional funds to finally make the Pendleton-Goldman Learning Center a reality.

Here are some details of the amazing progress we’ve made in the last month:

• Our committee member Kit Romano threw a Poker Fundraiser and hit her fundraising goal of $2000. (Thanks Kit!). She got full-on support from her wonderful and supportive friends. We appreciate your help Kit! We know that putting up such an event is very time consuming! 
• Our good friend, assistant district attorney Ronald Juan, helped us draft a Memorandum of Agreement between CIRE Foundation, Alpha Sierra Foundation, and the Sanguniang Bayan (City Council). This MOA outlines all the details of how the Center will operate and the services it will offer.  The city government has been so impressed with our project that we now have the signatures of eight members of the council, and the mayor is scheduled to sign in the next few days.  Once that happens, construction can begin! 
• We have sent out an RFP (Request for Proposal) to three different construction firms. After several meetings and careful evaluation, we have awarded the construction contract to an established firm from Metro Manila.
• We are working with the head of our design committee, architect Carren Alvarez (another volunteer based in Manila) to work out the final details on the building to ensure that we can maximize the usage of all the space we will have.  We are also in the process of designing an interior space that can be flexible enough to accommodate many different kinds of usage in order to ensure that the Center can accommodate different kinds of activities – from computer learning to creative arts. 

Our goal over the next eight weeks is to develop a campaign to get computer hardware and software donations.  Part of this campaign will involve identifying the kinds of computer hardware and software that will benefit the widest range of students, and then identifying potential sources for these specific items. 

I will share the details of this with anyone interested in helping out.  We will also be identifying the kinds of books that will be stocked in the Learning Center. 

April 2009

• We changed the term we use to refer to the project as “Library” to “Learning Center.” We are not just offering books, but also after-school programs, tutorial classes, scholarships, grants, reading program, audio visual room, athletic equipments, and computers. It has been suggested that the term “Learning Center” best describes the project.
• Working on Memorandum of Agreement between CIRE Foundation, the town of Marilao and the School District of Marilao
• Sent out Request for Proposal (RFP) from building contractors in the Philippines. Sent the parameters of the building including latest design and layout.
• Working on the budget to reflect new revisions, including expansion
• Received 375 books from Village School and shipped them all to Manila
  
• Edwin Santiago guested in Kababayan LA, a local cable news magazine, to talk about 101 Heroes
• Working with co host Katie Romano on a Poker Tournament benefiting 101 Heroes

March 2009

• Brian Pendleton and Chad Goldman offered to do a dollar for dollar match for all donations up to $10,000.
• After reviewing the options, we have decided to build the library in Marilao, Bulacan
• First meeting was held between 101 Heroes and the school administration
• Met with the architect involved with the project
• Got a lawyer to help draft the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). It is necessary to have a MOA to ensure that the building and the project is protected. We want to make sure that the building is used properly as intended. And on their end, they want to make sure that we make do with our promise and provide the library as promised.
• Worked with Village School (Pacific Palisades) encouraging 3rd grade kids to donate books
• Tripled the size of the Learning Center from 400 sq feet to 1,200 sq ft.
• There was a a very positive article published about 101 Heroes in Asian Journal

Feb 2009

• The organization received its very first check from Mr. Terry Wood
  and Norman and Reva Trenholm.
• 101 Heroes was launched Feb 9, 2009
• Additional meetings are scheduled on February 23rd with the
  Department of Education. Feasibility study and ocular inspection of
  the campus in Bulacan, Philippines.

January 2009

• Organization's logo design was completed
• Recruited volunteer web designer, architect, marketing consultant and writer.  All of them have graciously volunteered their time for the project.
• The organization's website and branding was approved
• First rendering of the library building was submitted for review

December 2008

• A meeting was held in Manila with the Department of Education
  regarding the right venue for the library.
• A committee was formed to assist with the implementation
  of the project
• We have set a goal for the project: Raise $25-$35,000