VOLUNTEERS’ DAY 2009 COMMEMORATED

Senator Richard Gordon and Olongapo City Mayor James “Bong” Gordon led the observance of the 17th year of “Araw ng mga Volunteers” on November 30, 2009 at the Olongapo City Convention Center (OCCC).

With “VOLUNTEER’S DAY 2009: A tribute to the Original Volunteer-Mama Amelia J. Gordon” as theme, Ma’am Amelia, who pass away on Novembe 17, was recognized and awarded as an original volunteer.

“Ang aking ina ang tunay na halimbawa ng leadership by example. Noong mga panahon na walang naniniwala sa Olongapo, hindi napanghinaan ng loob ang aking ina bagkus ay tumayo siya at gumawa ng mabuti para sa mga mamamayang ng Olongapano” Mayor Bong Gordon said.

“Ang isang tunay na volunteer ay ang gumagawa ng mga bagay na hindi nag-aantay ng anumang kapalit. Ang aking ina ang unang nagturo sa akin at sa aking kapatid kung ano ang tunay na kahulugan ng volunteer at hanggang sa ngayon ay amin pa ring dala-dala sa aming ipinapasa sa aming pamilya”, Senator Dick Gordon said calling her mother ‘Super Volunteer’.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator and CEO Armand C. Arreza, Gordon Heights Brgy. Capt. Eduardo Gingco, Boy Scouts of the Philippines- James L. Gordon Council Vice-Chair Gregorio Elane and James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital (JLGMH) Medical Dir. Dr. Arturo Mendoza also delivered messages honoring Ma’am Amelia.

New Cabalan’s Barangay Captain Audie Sundiam focused his tribute to the children whose lives were changed because of Ma’am Amelia. The Boy’s Town and Girl’s Home are now home to the children she has helped.

Philippine National Red Cross- Olongapo Chapter Board Secretary Linda Crispin and the Philippine Association for Volunteer Effort (PAVE) also paid tribute to Ma’am Amelia.

The OCCC was packed with over three thousand (3,000) families of the volunteers. Earlier, the Bagumbayan Volunteer led the offering of flowers and prayers to Ma’am Amelia and other departed volunteers at the Volunteers’ Shrine at the Subic Bay Freeport.

To continue the legacy of Ma’am Amelia Gordon, volunteers took the reaffirmation of commitment to volunteerism during the ‘’VOLUNTEER’S DAY 2009: A tribute to the Original Volunteer-Mama Amelia J. Gordon’’ on November 24, 2009 at the Olongapo City Convention Center (OCCC).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhgO9z7O2aM
Para Sayo ang Pasko by James "Bong" Gordon and Anne Marie Gordon ... video of Mama Amelia Juico Gordon played during her Necrological Ceremony at Olongapo City Convention Center dated November 24, 2009. Amelia Juico Gordon 1919- 2009