Project Extend-A-Hand sent its first care shipment to the poor and needy of the Philippines in September, 1987. The project annually solicits donations of all kinds from its members and people sympathetic to the cause. Donations include cash but mostly used clothing and non-perishable items like canned goods, medicine, and vitamins. To achieve an ideal distribution of goods, the donations are funneled through various humanitarian agencies in Manila. Recipient of previous efforts have been: the Culion Leper Colony, Palawan Island; the Golden Acres Home for the Aged; and the Reception and Study Center for Abandoned Children in Bago Bantay, Quezon City, and Barangay 546 in the heart of Manila's depressed neighborhood.
In 1990, PAMAS dontated $4,000.00 via the International Red Cross in their efforts to aid earthquake victims in the Philippines. PAMAS also made tremendous efforts to collect care packages for the victims of the volcanic eruptions of Mt. Pinatubo, and assisted individual members in their efforts to aid their own barrios.
Extend-A-Hand's recent all-out campaign to help a sick boy from Worcesterin need of bone marrow transplant marked a new era in PAMAS humanitarian efforts. The drive was a historical testimony of N.E. Filipino's willingness to participate in charitable causes particularly in efforts to help one of their own. The volunteers perceived their involvement as one big family caring for an unfortunate family member.
BOSTON - October 15, 2000 was a very nice Fall day. One of those that makes you appreciate a leisurely jog along the Charles River, with or without a cause. But on this day, 19 PAMAS officers and members were out joinng thousands of other walkers participating in the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer's 5K walk, starting and ending at the Hatch Shell, in Boston's Esplande. And they did for a very special reason . . . they did it from the heart in support of Flord Orquiola Escobar's personal fight against cancer. For more on this story click on... PAMAS is in the heart