| Thank You to Ecclestone Members from Barra Elementary School in the Philippines
In 2009, in support of Ecclestone's hosting of the NAA Big Meet a group of volunteers, lead by Kim Chatterson, coordinated a Used Book Sale. The Ecclestone community was so generous with their donations, that we managed to raise over $300 for the pool. During the event we were approached by Myrna Canela on behalf of the Angel Kimm Book Club who requested to buy any leftover books to send to a school in a poor area.
The Ecclestone Board of Directors agreed that the remaining books should be donated to the Book Club and Myrna picked them up.
Below is the letter and photographs we received a few months later from the grateful – and thoughtful – recipients of the books:
Hello Ms. Chatterson,
My knees felt weak when you said you were donating the books. It gave me goosebumps as I heard you say your name was Kim.
Let me share the story behind our Angel Kimm Book Club. Our family had suffered a terrible loss just last year in June. Our niece died at an early age of 17. Kimm was a valedictorian when she graduated from high school and was on her 2nd year in medical school when she got sick. She will always be part of what we do to others especially to those children in impoverished places in our province. Our intention was to donate books to Mt. Carmel hospital pedi library and also to reach schools in poor communities to help kids learn.
The terrible Ondoy flood that hit the Philippines did not stop the 3 boxful of stuff toys and books to reach the children in Lucena City, Philippines. The books were transported via a banca (filipino canoe) to Barra Elementary School.
On behalf of my sister Dr. Delta Canela, my heartfelt thanks to you, Ms. Chatterson, and Kirkland Ecclestone Pool.
Sincerely,
Myrna Canela
"Please send our sincerest gratitude to Ms. Kim of Canada for her generosity. Barra is a small community near Lucena City, Philippines. You have to take a boat ride about 30-45minutes to reach the place. This community was adopted by Daughters of Charity Sisters way,way back. We used to do our nursing community internships there where we taught the kids the importance of healthy living and good education. Those books will certainly be of great use to them."
— from my sister Sygnore Valdeavilla
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