By Gio Carlo D. Castro

Former Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraw Richard Escoto launched a donation drive called ‘Donate Shoes for a Cause’ in support of depressed areas in Barangay Kaligayahan, Quezon City amid coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis, April 25.

Escoto shared in an online interview that they drew inspiration in raising funds from his father-in-law and Quezon City Councilor Freddy Roxas. He then used his professional career to lend a hand.

“Since basketball player ako, naisip ko na marami akong kilalang players na for sure gusto rin mag-share at tumulong. That’s when I started ‘yung ‘Donate Shoes for a Cause’… (Since I’m a basketball player, I figured that I know a lot of players who surely want to share and help. That’s when I started ‘Donate Shoes for a Cause),” he said.

Arwind Santos, Mac Belo, Wendell Comboy, and his brother Russel Escoto were among the former Tamaraws who joined the said fundraising event. Former Baby Tams, L-Jay Gonzales and Royce Alforque took part as well.

Donated shoes can be bought by sending a direct message to Escoto thru Facebook Messenger, a messaging app. Proceeds will be used in providing food packs, vitamins, and medicines for households living in depressed areas of Barangay Kaligayahan and its nearby locations.

“So far, we were able to give 1,232 relief goods, 305 kids friendly packs, 200 packs of 5kgs [kilograms] rice, food and drinks for our frontlines and more. Our beneficiaries are families in depressed areas of our barangay and [including] families in depressed areas who live nearby,” he told.

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) rookie also shared other programs to help mothers, kids and senior citizens who are affected by the pandemic.

“Now we have an on-going program called ‘Alay para sa mga Nanay’. It’s for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. We gave them some vitamins and some lactating goods [that] we got from our generous donors since donating formula milk is not allowed,” said Escoto.

He added, “Another program is for kids and senior citizens who are really in-need. We are giving them food/kid friendly bags that contain snacks and drinks for kids, vitamins and medicines.”

The crowdfunding initiative has reached its “initial target” with over P50,000 worth of funds, as of April 29. To join and support the said cause, see poster details here: https://bit.ly/3f7mv1Q