In 1999, a fundraising campaign called Children’s Promise was started in the United Kingdom by then-Prime Minister Tony Blair, Sir Richard Greenbury of Marks & Spencer’s, and the New Millennium Experience Company. This eventually caught fire globally and was spearheaded by the International Youth Foundation (IYF) based in the United States. In the same year, renowned businessman Jaime Zobel de Ayala, an IYF member, brought the idea to the Philippines and the Children’s Hour was born with the late President Corazon C. Aquino as its first honorary chairperson.
Since 1999, Children’s Hour has raised over P300 million in cash and services that translated into 600 projects directly benefiting more than 800,000 children nationwide.
Children’s Hour is basically a fundraising organization that asks each individual, employee, corporation, organization or institution to donate at least one hour’s worth of annual earnings for programs dedicated to making lasting improvements in the lives of disadvantaged children.
The late President Cory Aquino’s legacy of support to Children’s Hour continues to this day with her daughter Ballsy Aquino-Cruz stepping up to the plate as the honorary chair, committing her time, effort and resources to ensure that the goals of CH are met.
Just recently the charity group held its annual benefit lunch to thank donors and partners and to report on what had been accomplished the previous year. I am honored to serve in the organization as a member of its Board of Trustees.
The charity group’s new fundraising and awareness campaign is the Children’s Hour Circle of Champions. It seeks to form a network of individuals committing to an annual donation of P1,000.00, P2,000.00, and P3,000.00 over a period of three years to make this world a better place for children. Those interested can sign up at https://childrens-hour.typeform.com/to/yS49S0.
The oft-quoted adage from our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, is reason enough why we must invest in our children: They are the hope of our nation. An hour is all we ask.