The Stella Maris Academy of Davao brought the true spirit of Christmas to life through its Share-A-Joy Fund Drive, culminating in a successful distribution of goods to less fortunate communities across Davao City. With 750 tickets distributed, this year’s initiative reached various areas, including the community behind Abreeza Mall, coastal communities in R. Castillo, Leon Garcia, Carpenter, Agdao and the Assumption school areas.
The Share-A-Joy Fund Drive was launched on September 27 after the Holy Mass commemorating the feast day of Stella Maris. The two-month drive officially began on September 30, with the community’s unwavering support. Contributions poured in from students, parents, alumni, and other members of the educative community, enabling the success of this long-standing tradition.
The first batch of packing the goods took place on December 8, followed by the distribution of tickets on December 11. A second round of packing was conducted on December 14, and the much-awaited distribution of goods happened on December 15, 2024. Each recipient received a package filled with essentials, including rice, canned goods, milk, sugar, toiletries, and other necessities, ensuring the holiday season was a little brighter for those in need.
For the first time, teachers were actively involved in distributing the tickets by visiting the different nearby communities. Sir Pepito Nuqui, Jr., head of the pastoral office, reflecting on this new approach, shared, “It was a nice experience because this is the first time we allowed the teachers to distribute the tickets. It’s more immersive for them, so they can actually encounter the people, the recipients, and they can really relate to the students. It’s a good opportunity for them to really feel the need of the community and how we impact this community for the last years since we launched Share-A-Joy.”
While student participation in the field was limited for security reasons, the teachers’ direct interaction with the recipients highlighted the significance of fostering empathy and solidarity within the SMAD community.
Sir Nuqui also expressed his gratitude and joy for the overwhelming support received: “An overwhelming support from the students, alumni, parents… I’m very happy for the recipients because this time they received quite a number of items. Although we are lesser in number in terms of packs, the content of each grocery pack is more compared to the previous year.”
The recipients’ genuine happiness during the distribution reinforced the importance of such initiatives. “We’re very happy that they came to receive their goods and that they’re also happy to receive those items out of the generosity of our members of the educative community,” Sir Nuqui added.
In addition to individual and family recipients, SMAD extended its generosity to various institutions. Grocery items were provided to the Missionaries of Charity, Regional Major Seminary and its Pre-College, and other partner institutions, further amplifying the reach and impact of the fund drive.
The Share-A-Joy Fund Drive stands as a testament to the Stella Maris Academy of Davao’s commitment to living out its core values of solidarity, generosity, and community service. By coming together, the SMAD community not only shared material blessings but also embodied the true essence of Christmas—bringing joy, hope, and love to those who need it most.
By: Faye Nathena P. Albao