"We did it!" We built a church with pennies!
by Mila Glodava
Five years after they started saving their pennies -- one penny at a time -- the children and youth of St. Thomas More Parish in Colorado completed their promise to raise one million pennies or $10,000 to help rebuild the St. John the Baptist Church in Panukulan, Quezon.
"We did it! We built a church with pennies!" the children said proudly.
They have reason to be proud. Their "Pennies from Heaven" campaign which started in 1998 ended in 2003 when STM's pastor, Fr. Andrew Kemberling, delivered the last $2,000 to Fr. Roque Betancur, who has since retired as parish priest of Panukulan (The Prelature of Infanta announced that Alagad ni Maria will take over the parish).
For the record members of Metro Infanta Foundation, including those from Panukulan, contributed to this fund to the tune of $3,000. Among those who made a contribution to this fund were: Junlo Tena, Mario Leodones, Jose Pujeda, Marites Espiritu, the Garcias and Glodavas.
I have to give special mention to my brother Nony and his wife Emmie for donating cash gifts they received for their 30th wedding anniversary. This gesture was the idea of their daughter Vanessa and concurred by the other children -- all six of them.
So to all of them thank you for taking part in the "Pennies from Heaven" Campaign for Panukulan. Of course,Metro Infanta Foundation appreciates the resolve of the children and youth of St. Thomas More for sticking with the campaign from 1998 through 2003.
Maraming salamat po !