Philippine Red Cross recently highlighted the unwavering commitment of its volunteers as it celebrated the International Volunteer Day, with the theme of bringing hope in the form of countless acts of kindness from one person to another.
PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sen. Dick Gordon led the celebration at the PRC National Headquarters on Sunday, Dec. 5 where he was joined by various volunteers from the different PRC local chapters. PRC said that for over 74 years, its volunteers have continuously dedicated their time and effort to ensure the inclusion of those often left behind.
"We have always been at the forefront of providing quality life-saving services that protect the life and dignity especially of indigent Filipinos in vulnerable situations," Gordon said.
PRC vowed to remain unstoppable as the humanitarian organization paid special tribute to the courage and drive of the country's "COVID-19 heroes".
"I'm very grateful for our volunteers as they have been working hard every single day through the many ongoing programs of the PRC towards COVID-19 response. I admire your commitment to helping build a better and safer future for us all," added Gordon.
He highlighted the different efforts that volunteers conducted from testing, deploying negative pressure ambulances, setting up isolation facilities, emergency field hospitals, and medical tents, to providing convalescent plasma to the blood centers and mobilizing PRC's vaccination program. PRC said that its COVID-19 response has saved millions of lives.
"Your efforts will not go unnoticed, as the initiatives of the Red Cross have brought about a significant change as the whole country battles the pandemic," he added.
The International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development, more commonly referred to as International Volunteer Day, is an international observance mandated by the UN General Assembly in 1985.
IVD is an annual celebration to recognize people worldwide who dedicate their precious time and efforts to volunteer service. PRC, together with its two million volunteers and partner national societies, said that it is committed to assisting the most vulnerable communities.
The organization stated that its goal this year in celebration of IVD 2021 is to be unstoppable in alleviating human suffering and uplifting the dignity of the people. Under Gordon's, PRC said that it has garnered thousands of volunteers to provide assistance during disasters, calamities, and to help fight COVID-19.
Gordon, who according to PRC has been an active volunteer of the Red Cross for more than 48 years, was also awarded the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency’s Lifetime National Volunteer Achievement Award, the sole recipient of the award in 2015.