Ever since he was 2 years old, Gabriel or Gabby Arreza has been exposed and has participated in the annual Ancop Walk. His first Ancop Walk in 2012 was even in strollers while his parents pushed him through all five kilometers around downtown Toronto. This year, his 5th Ancop Walk, was extra special.
Prior to leaving for Manila for a summer vacation, Gabriel already collected his toys and books that he wished to share with kids from the Ancop village his family planned to visit. He joined his parents, Junnie and Michele, KFC Area coordinators for Hamilton in the CFC Anniversary in Luneta, and gamely went to an Ancop Canada village in Paranaque despite searing temps.
Not only did he share his books and toys to the kids of Ancop Canada Village living near the Manila airport, but he also agreed that he will request the family, plus all his “ninong” and “ninang” to give him cash in lieu of toys and other gifts for his 7th birthday so that he can help more kids get good education.
In Manila, in a simple celebration with family and friends, Gabriel’s family retold and showed pictures from Gabriel’s visit to an Ancop Canada village. From cash gifts, he raised more than Php 10,000. He mentioned to do the same thing coming home to Toronto and his dad posted this plea on Gabriel’s own online donation page and he raised another CAD$400.00 from family and friends from the Philippines, US and other parts of Canada.
Last August 15, carrying a placard and an oversized Ancop Walk shirt, Gabriel walked alongside 8 other fellow Kids for Christ members during the first ever Ancop Walk for Hamilton. It was a fun weekend!
It was a simple gesture of deciding to do something for the poor, announcing it to family, visiting an Ancop village and raising not just awareness about the plight of poor kids in the Philippines but also using the internet to raise funds. Gabby’s 7th birthday was indeed special and made more special for 3 kids that his family will be sponsoring to go back to school – all because he loved more.
Gabriel and mom at the CFC’s 34th Anniversary at Quirino Grandstand in Luneta
Gabriel sharing his toys and playing with the kids of an Ancop Canada village in Paranaque City
Gabriel prior to Hamilton Area’s First Ancop Walk in Lowville Park in Hamilton
Gabriel (in front) with other Kids for Christ members after finishing the Ancop Walk