A Run For Change: Call for Volunteer Runners

Black Pencil Project's Run For Pencils (Year 2)

Calling all runners participating in races from January to March 2012. You are invited to tie up your official race performances with charitable donations through the Run for Pencils Project (Phase II), a timely, cause-oriented initiative under the Black Pencil Project (BPP). Running enthusiasts, like you, through this project will be running for a cause and donors can pledge a corresponding amount for every kilometer you complete. In turn, these pledges will be consolidated to create a pool of funds that would later be used to purchase school supplies and other learning facilities for schoolchildren among the Mangyan tribes in the Philippines. If you are interested in joining this initiative, please visit: http://bit.ly/bpprunnersform

About Run for Pencils

The Run for Pencils is a cause-oriented activity under the Black Pencil Project (BPP) wherein running enthusiasts partake in the advocacy of promoting education amongst Filipino children in the far-flung communities around the Philippines. Volunteer runners make use of their official race performances to collect pledges from supporters, who can give a corresponding donation for every kilometer they complete. In turn, these contributions are consolidated to create a pool of funds that would later be used to purchase school supplies and other learning facilities for schoolchildren.

This initiative was convened in 2011 by a BPP volunteer who wanted to run her first full marathon for a worthy cause. She encouraged fellow runners who also convinced other runners to do the same and support the objectives of the project while they embark on their personal goals.

In March 2011, 22 volunteer runners who joined in three races – Bataan Death March Ultramarathon 102km, Unilab Run United 1, and The Bull Runner Dream Marathon took part in the Run for Pencils project.

List of 2011 BPP Runners:

1. Agustin, Alona Mae H.
2. Arabia, Helen Grace D.
3. Beltran, Nina Marnie C.
4. Bermudez, Suzanne Rona O.
5. Cosme, Oscar Jr. C.
6. Dee, Brian John Anthony A.
7. Dee, Jeremy James U.
8. Dee, Rycca Sofia Yzabelle A.
9. Gayao, Grace P.
10. Gangan, Teresa
11. Gumangan, Cherry
12. Hidalgo, Gerald
13. Katigbak, Sunny
14. Macaraig, Ma. Fe G.
15. Mampusti, Imelda P.
16. Pagtalunan, Juvy
17. Pangindian, Eryck
18. Queddeng, Jordana S.
19. Ong, John Joseph A.
20. Sumicad, Siegfred A.
21. Valmores, Elizabeth R.
22. Yabut, Maridol N.

BPP Volunteer Runners who joined Unilab Run United 1 held on 6 March 2011 at the Fort. (Photo by Zer Cabatuan)

BPP Volunteer Runners who joined The Bull Runner Dream Marathon held on 20 March 2011 at Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Laguna. (Photo by Alvin Mampusti)

320 children from six Mangyan tribes in Mindoro namely Hanunuo, Bangon, Buhid, Iraya, Alangan and Tadyawan benefited from these donations. Beneficiaries also included 20 para-teachers from Mindoro, 19 non-formal Mangyan schools in Mindoro, 3 non-formal Mangyan schools in Palawan and two Mangyan tribal development centers in Mindoro.

The 320 children were given a school bag which contained supplies like notebooks, pad paper, pencils, ballpens (for GS and HS students), crayons, sharpener, and eraser. Each student was also provided with a water tumbler, toothbrush, and vitamins.

The 20 para-teachers were given teacher bags which contained large notebooks, a box of chalk, board eraser, ballpens, and a Filipino-English dictionary. 17 non-formal Mangyan schools were given sports equipment i.e. basketball and volleyball, boxes toothbrushes and biscuits. 22 non-formal Mangyan schools and two Mangyan tribal development centers were given funds for new blackboards. Old clothes donated to the project were also distributed to para-teachers and their students.

Mangyan school children beneficiaries.(Photo by Zer Cabatuan)

If you're interested, sign up now at http://bit.ly/bpprunnersform.