Educational Awareness on Rabies Free-Tagudin

By Manalina Acosta-Lake RN, BSN
Bloomingdale, New Jersey USA

The Educational Awareness on Rabies Free-Tagudin started on September 12, 2011. This program is in collaboration with the Local Government Unit (Office of the Mayor and the Department of Agriculture) and the SAS Class of 1974, and funded by Let's Share Foundation, Inc. I was fortunate enough to join, and participate during the lectures. From September 19 to 23, 2011, we were able to give seminars to the college students of ISPSC, and the students and parents of TNHS( Tagudin National High School.). The program was  well attended, and accepted by the students, and parents. The speaker was Dr. Joyce Lamadrid Lavara, head of the Department of Agriculture in the municipality of Tagudin. The Hon. Mayor Roque Verzosa Jr., also came to show his support and gave words of encouragement on why this program is important to the people, to the animals, and the safety of the town. This program was also incorporated with the school's curriculum and that students who attended the seminar are going to do book reports to make sure that they understood the importance of rabies vaccination. The Educational Awareness on Rabies Free covers the relationship between humans, and dogs; what to do when bitten by a dog; where to go as soon as bitten by a dog; the signs and symptoms to be aware off; and what to do with the dog who bit a person. It also covers laws concerning Republic Acts on dealing with dog bites, and its fines, and punishment. This program is an on going program as the SAS Class of 1974, and LGU still have to go to Saint Augustine's School, and to all the Elementary Schools in the 43 barangays of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur to give lectures on the importance of rabies vaccination. After all the schools are covered, the Rabies vaccination will start and hope that we will make Taguidn a RABIES FREE municipality.

Thank you....

To Let's Share Foundation Inc, and Dr. Carol Encarnacion-Dacanay, thank you for starting the vaccine project for our town, and for all the support that you've given, and shared. To the Mayor of Tagudin, Hon. Mayor Roque Verzosa Jr. for your full support on this project. To LGU of Tagudin and staff. The Dept. of Agriculture headed by Dr. Joyce Lamadrid Lavara. Thank for your non stop enthusiasm, your time, and a powerful deliverance of what is needed to make this campaign a successful one.
To all the teachers and staff of the different schools who helped to make this program possible.
And of course to all the SAS Class of 1974 who gave their time, their efforts to be at the campaign sites day after day. MABUHAY TAGUDIN!!!!!!!!

Rummage Sale in Meadville, PA, Benefit Let's Share Foundation, Inc.

Let's Share's Concert a Success!

 By Tess Dumanil-Garstenshlager, Events Coordinator, Meadville, PA

 

Dr. Carol Encarnacion, Chairman of the Board of Let's Share Foundation, Inc. (pictured standing), is seen with volunteer vocal performing artist, Len Holifield, from Jones County, Mississippi.

Dr. Carol Encarnacion, Chairman of the Board-Let's Share Foundation, Inc. discusses key issues of the mission, goals, and visions of the organization during intermission.

Pictured from left to right: Manalina Acosta-Lakes, BS-RN, Board of Director of Let's Share Foundation, Inc. (New Jersey); Len Holifield, guest performer (Mississippi); Sylvia Green, Events Coordinator (Pennsylvania)

On August 27, 2011, Let’s Share Foundation, Inc,. in Meadville, Pennsylvania, with the leadership of Dr. Carol Encarnacion, sponsored, “Let’s Share a Night of Music”, featuring Filipino-American songstress, Len Holifield, of Jones County, Mississippi.  Len's repertior as a singer included music engagements in many parts of South East Asia with her band.  Since her move to the United States ten years ago, she has done numerous special guest performances by request at Filipino-American gatherings, and at Christian churches, where she is well received as a gospel singer. 

 

There were around 200 people who attended Len Holifield's concert at the Academy Theatre in Meadville, PA.  We had Filipino, and American friends, and guests from Erie-Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and also guest who travelled as far as Canada.  Everybody had a fabulous time, and loved Len’s songs.  The concert was a grand success! 

 

At the opening, Krisel Nagallo played the piano for the Star-Spangled Banner, and Philippine National Anthem.  Charles Reyes and Krisel were the co-emcees for the event.  Len sang Dahil sa Iyo, Paano Kung Wala Ka Na, Gaano Ikaw Kamahal, Mamang Sorbetero, May Bukas Pa, Ang Pag-ibig Kong Ito, Magandang Gabi, The Greatest Love of All, and You Rraise Me Up.  We were all teary-eyed when she sang the Filipino love songs.  It touched our hearts, and made us miss our homeland, the Philippines.

 

There was a slide show, and a documentary about the Philippines describing the nation, people, traditions, and a lot of places that we are proud of. The slideshow showcased past, and ongoing projects of Let’s Share Foundation, Inc.  Topics included the foundation's goal of health education awareness programs and disease prevention through education.  Making the general public aware of the risks, and benefits of vaccination is one of the main goals of Let’s Share Foundation, Inc. and although the Philippine Department of Health, and other Physician groups in the area are working on these, it is hoped that we can enhance vaccination rates. With more people working together, we can do better, and more people will have a better understanding, and commitment to join.  Free-rabies communities through education, and animal vaccination were also discussed and are being worked on.

 

The guests also enjoyed the big Chinese Auction, door prizes, 50/50 and samples of Philippine desserts such as bibingka, suman, buchi-buchi, polvoron, and sampaloc were made available to everyone at the event.

 

It was ended by one of the Board Members, Ms. Manalina Acosta-Lake, RN, who called all the volunteers (Connie Bensel, Bill and Lisa Buchholz, Alfred Dacanay, Rick and Tess Garstenshlager, Allan and Sylvia Green, Emily Hawthorne, Annie Hoffman,  Maria Hollabaugh, Jovita Motea, Krisel Nagallo, Charles and Marivic Onion, Helen Repko,  Autumn Sliker, Rose Stoker, Rose Thomas, Virgilio and Angel Vicmudo, Alvin Villamar, Jed Villamar, Tim and Aldin Wolbert)  to the stage, and handed a plaque, and bouquet of flowers to Len Holifield. Emily Hawthorne also handed a bouquet of flowers to Dr. Carol Encarnacion. 

 

We thank Len so much for sharing her talent, and time to support Let’s Share Foundation, Inc.  Our sincere gratitude to all our generous donors, and incredible volunteers; we could not have done it without your support!  Special thanks to Daphne Matias-Creel who started the project, and moved back to Mississippi.  (We miss you, Daphne!!! ) Also special thanks to our friends from NJ, NY, and Canada who wholeheartedly helped us all the way  to have a special, and unforgettable night of music with Len Holifield.

 

Finally, our profound, and sincere gratitude to Dr. Carol Encarnacion, for her extraordinary enthusiasm to present the first Philippine concert in Meadville, PA, in support of Let’s Share Foundation, Inc.  Thanks to you, Mr. Alfred, and Dr. Encarnacion-Dacanay for opening your house, and kitchen with delicious dinners during our late night meetings, and exchange of e-mails between your studying in the middle of the night.   We salute you for your passion to do medical missions (Bakuna Project) to the Philippines through Let’s Share Foundation, Inc. 

 

Maraming salamat, and Mabuhay!!!