Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Let's Build!

Annual Spring Benefit Dinner Auction
Saturday, April 24, 2010  
6:00 - 11:30 PM
Seattle Filipino Community Center
5740 Martin Luther King Junior Way South 
Seattle, WA 98118
Mark your calendars. Team Evergreen in Federal Way, in cooperation with AncopUSA, is holding its annual spring event to bring awareness and raise funds for the building of our first Gawad Kalinga village in the Philippines. It will be a night of good food, fun, auctions and dancing. Our theme is "Let's Build!" because that's what we aim to do!
Dinner will be served with entertainment.  Tickets are only $35.00 ($20 for students when a valid Student ID is presented).  Spread the word and don't miss it!!!
To purchase tickets, send us an email at teamevergreenwa@gmail.com.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Why Team Evergreen?

It's pretty easy to look at problems and turn away from them when the solutions seem too big to even try to reach.  Poverty in much of the world may seem like an insurmountable challenge.  But if all of us just assumed somebody else will fix it, nobody will.
So the members of Team Evergreen have come together out of a sincere desire to make a difference in the world - with whatever resources they have.  They realize especially that living in the United States does come with some sort of obligation to give back to humanity in some form, recognizing that the blessings we enjoy in this society are not to be mindlessly consumed but selflessly shared with others. 
They've chosen to partner with Ancop USA, a non-profit organization that works with the Gawad Kalinga movement in the Philippines.  The GK movement has been experiencing success in its goal of eradicating poverty in its home country - in fact, its methods are so effective, they are being copied now in other parts of Asia. The videos below describe more what the movement is all about.  Take the time to watch them.
Our immediate goal is to build 1 GK village, which will cost upwards of $70K.  At first glance, that number seems huge - but when you consider how that amount will lift at least 30 families out of poverty into a life of dignity and productivity, the amount is well worth it.  Raising $70K merely requires reaching 100 people who will pledge an amount of less than $700 for a whole year, which amounts to 1 latte a day.  If you can make that sacrifice, you can be one of our GK100 community (100 people pledging to raise $700 for a year).  There are those who can reach deeper and actually sponsor 1 whole house (each village has at least 30 houses) in the amount of $2,300.  That will work, too.
Others may not be able to give as much - that's okay.  At Team Evergreen, we value every single contribution that is made in any amount.  As they say, man may look at the outside, but God looks at the heart. Team Evergreen members raise funds in whatever way they can - through a marathon or bike ride, a bake sale, garage sale, or even direct solicitations from their families and friends.   
Please consider joining our team - email us at teamevergreenwa@gmail.com for more information on how you can be a part of changing the world.

Monday, February 1, 2010

More on Gawad Kalinga...

Gawad Kalinga is at the forefront of innovation and effectiveness in its ability to bring back dignity to those who have spent their lives living on the streets and in cardboard boxes.  They have a plan that allows beneficiaries to put in sweat equity before they receive a home.  With the support of people like you and me, donations of land, the cooperation of local governments and the volunteer labor of hundreds of thousands of heroes, up to 200,000 Filipinos in more than 1,800 villages around the country have been lifted from poverty.