Typhoons and volcanic eruption can’t spoil Filipinos’ Christmas celebration as corporate foundations were ready with their helping hands.

For families in Albay and Catanduanes still reeling from the devastation brought by tropical storm “Kristine,” more than 200 volunteers helped Ayala Foundation Inc. (AFI) distribute Noche Buena packs, toys and coloring books to evacuees before Christmas Day.

The outreach dubbed Brigada Ayala was able to reach 4,000 families in the two provinces also with the help of partner donors such as BPI MS Insurance, Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Ayala Malls, Makati Development Corporation, League of Corporate Foundations and the local government of Libon, Albay.

Ayala Malls Legazpi also came together to deliver a relief drive to aid over 350 affected families in Iriga City. At Francia Elementary school, the community united to bring hope during this difficult time by distributing food and essential supplies with the help of local volunteers.

As if the floodings were not enough, Mt. Kanlaon erupted on 9 December wreaking havoc in Negros Island. Displaced families living near the volcano still got their holiday cheers. Some 45 dedicated volunteers, including members of We Are Ayala Business Club-Negros and AFI program alumni, packed and distributed 3,000 food and hygiene kits to several cities and municipalities in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.

Also helping were donor partners Ayala Malls Capitol Central, Honda Negros, local government units, and the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office teams of Bago City, La Carlota City, Municipality of La Castellana and City of Canlaon.

Outside of disaster zones, there was regular gift-giving drive for children of Barangay Wawa in Balagtas, Bulacan.

Meanwhile, 480 employees of Ayala-owned Globe joined a food repacking marathon at The Globe Tower together with counterparts from the non-profit Rise Against Hunger PH. They collectively produced 3,060 food packs that benefitted 18,360 individuals in places devastated by recent typhoons.

Employee volunteers in Cebu City assisted in packing and distributing food supplies for 220 families at the Cebu City Operation Second Chance Center and Balay Samaritano, a collaboration between Globe and the AFI.

“Globe’s commitment to nation-building is truly inspiring. Their employees’ dedication to volunteering to help our communities is commendable. Together, Ayala Foundation and Globe can make a significant impact in addressing hunger and improving lives,” Marlito Cabigas, senior associate for VisMin, Corporate Citizenship & Volunteerism of AFI, said.