THE Felicidad T. Sy Foundation Inc., an affiliate of SM Foundation that pursues its religious advocacy, held an annual sharing with children at the settlement house run by the Asociacion de Damas de Filipinas Inc. (ADFI) in Paco, Manila, in collaboration with SM branches in Makati, Cubao, Marikina, Ortigas, Taytay and Manila.
The activities were preceded by a Eucharistic celebration followed by a short program where the children interacted with SM volunteers, who came with gift bags prepared by the participating SM branches. Toiletries, including toothpaste, toothbrush, bath soap and small towels, among others, were given to the children.
The child-caring facility for abandoned, neglected, orphaned, foundling and dependent children was founded by ADFI, an organization of wives of members of the Philippine Columbian Club established in 1913.
Before it was transferred to its present location, the settlement house was along Avenida in Manila and was used as temporary shelter to indigent aged widows and orphans. A new building was inaugurated in 1999 after a fire gutted the old building in December 1998.
The programs of ADFI are geared toward the fulfillment of its mission “to serve socially, emotionally and economically disadvantaged children, uphold their rights and interests, and provide a nurturing environment that will enable them to experience the conditions of a loving family through quality care that will help them grow and develop as God-fearing and holistically healthy children.”