By JOSEPH G. LARIOSA

(© 2011 Journal Group Link International)

C HICAGO (jGLi) – The Bikol U.S.A. of the Midwest is going to hold its annual potluck Christmas party on Sunday, Dec. 11, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Social Gym of St. Henry Catholic Church at 6335 N. Hoyne Avenue in Chicago’s northside.

Evelyn R. Tolledo, president of the Bikol U.S.A. of the Midwest, appealed to its members “to share the duty of inviting others to attend our party. It seems that I’m the only one doing everything, including setting up and cleaning up after the party.”

Ms. Tolledo also wants burden-sharing by members in coming up with “food assignments for each city/province during our Christmas party.”

Ms. Tolledo, who is also the PRO of the “Chicago Juzz Danz,” said members of the Chicago Juzz Danz will also join the party and will help out in providing entertainment (disc jockey duty) and desserts.

RAFFLE OF FOOD ASSIGNMENTS

At the meeting following the Masquerade Ball last Saturday, Oct. 29, at 3839 North Kedzie in Chicago’s north side, it was also agreed that the following are going to be responsible for bringing the following at the Christmas party after a raffle was held:

Those from Albay are going to bring in kid’s meals of hot dogs, bread and sandwich spreads; Catanduanes, two large trays of chicken dish; Camarines Norte, two large trays of pork dish; Camarines Sur, two large trays of beef dish; Masbate, two large trays of laing or any vegetable; and Sorsogon, two large trays of fish dish; Iriga City, two large trays of pancit; Legazpi, 10 cases of water bottles @ 24 counts each plus ice and soda/drinks and coolers and cooked rice good for four large trays; and Naga City, desserts.

During the Masquerade ball, Bikol U.S.A. Midwest treasurer Danny Auro, announced that a total of $320 was collected.  The money raised is going to be brought next week to three towns of Catanduanes and one town in Camarines Norte by club secretary Alice Llames, who will buy food to feed indigents in those towns.

$1,000 DONATED TO TYPHOON VICTIMS

E arlier, Zayda O. Baron, former president of Bikol U.S.A. of Chicago and former president of Bikol National Association of America (BNAA), told the group that it should sustain its fund-raisings to support indigent students, who need sleepers and food in going to school.

Ms. Baron also said the $1,000 check donated by the club to victims of Typhoon “Juaning” last July 30 was given to many families, who each received one kilo of rice and six dried fishes. These were mostly for families in Bato, Bula, Buhi and Nabua, Camarines Sur. She brought albums of photos that documented the distributions of the goodies.

The Bikol U.S.A. is in the process of registering the club as a 501(c) (3) organization. Among its activities is to extend financial aid to the victims of typhoon and other calamities in the Bikol region. It also plans to raise funds to support scholarships for poor and deserving students in the region. # # #

Editor’s Note: To contact the author, please e-mail him at: (lariosa_jos@sbcglobal.net)