Child United

CowBell Report: Blog Talk Radio

2009-08-04T00:33:00.000-07:00

Host Syd Fong interviews Christine Umayam about Child United and how she started the organization.

CowBell Report centers around news from the Sacramento area. Christine Umayam was a former television reporter for Fox40 News. The interview is about how she went from television to non-profit giving. Take a listen!

Bellevue Resident Uses Vacation To Give Back

2009-07-07T14:02:00.000-07:00

By LINDSAY LARIN
Bellevue Reporter Staff Writer
Jul 06 2009, 6:04 PM · UPDATED

Full Article Here

For the past week, Bellevue-resident Maureen Francisco has been a long way from the spotlight.

The up-and-coming starlet has worked as a reporter and news anchor, appeared on the reality game show Solitary 3.0 and CBS's primetime game show Power of 10, and is the co-captain of the Boise Wildfire, a professional bikini football team.

When she's not busy chasing her dreams, she's helping others reach theirs by volunteering for Child United, a non-profit organization helping to bring education to children around the world. As a volunteer for Child United, Francisco flew half-way around the world to the Philippines to drop off clothes and supplies to children at the Hospicio de San Jose orphanage, the oldest charitable institution in the Philippines.

Born in the Philippines to humble beginnings, Francisco learned the value of education early on.

"We lived in a small house with 15 people and only one bathroom," she recalled. "It was very Slumdog Millionare. Luckily I had a wonderful family and a mother who always encouraged us to pursue education. I moved to the states when I was six and I vowed if I ever had the opportunity to give back to others, I would."

Francisco now works as the media director for Child United. She has volunteered with the organization since its launch two years ago by founder Christine Umayam.

"Christine went on vacation to the Philippines several years ago and when she returned, she had this new found passion," Francisco explained. "She had this idea that every time we go on vacation we should try to give back to those who are less fortunate in any way we can. Christine took her idea and turned it into Child United. She is truly inspiring."

Francisco's recent trip to the Philippines brought smiles to the children she met at the nearly two-hundred-year-old orphanage, a sanctuary for both orphaned children and abandoned elderly.

"Walking in there breaks your heart, but at the same time, to see the smiles on the kids faces when you hand out the toys and clothing is life changing," she said.

Due to the hefty cost of shipping overseas, Francisco was only able to bring two boxes of donations. She plans to travel back again next year.

"I had so many wonderful friends and people in the community who donated clothing and supplies for me to take, I wish I could have brought more but it cost too much," she explained. "Our next goal is to raise enough money to be able to fill a shipping crate with donations and ship it to the Philippines."

To learn more about Child United and ways to donate or volunteer, visit www.childunited.org.

In The News: Bellevue Reporter, June Issue

2009-07-06T21:06:00.002-07:00

Eastside Resident Travels Thousands of Miles to Drop Off Donations

Bellevue Reporter: full article

Charity can go a long away no matter where you are. For one Eastside resident it means flying half way around the world to drop off much needed clothes and supplies to children at a Philippine orphanage.

Child United Media Director, Maureen Francisco, volunteers for the non-profit organization. The charity helps children in third world countries by opening the doors of educational opportunity to the less fortunate.

Maureen said, “I came from humble beginnings myself where I lived in a house with some 15 family members and we shared one bathroom in the Philippines. I didn’t realize we were poor until we came to America. Thanks to my parents’ commitment to make sure I see the value of continued education, so many doors have opened for me. I’m at a good place in my life. This is the least that I can do.”

Child United started when the Founder went on vacation in the Philippines. She saw first-hand how poverty can destroy the future of young children. Founder Christine Umayam said, “I couldn’t go back to my normal way of life after seeing the faces of these kids.”

Two years later, the leadership team makes it a priority that any trips to underdevelopment countries need to also include helping the poorest children through donations.

Maureen, former Solitary 3.0 contestant and football player, has been collecting donations in hopes to bring smiles to young children. Maureen’s football team member, Jenny Lin, gave three bags of donations to Child United. Jenny said, “I decided to donate clothes and toys to Child United because I realized that it is too easy to become consumed with materialism in the United States. Many possessions such as electricity, hot water, food and shelter are things we take for granted. I want to leave a footprint on this earth by changing the course of a child’s life for the better.”

To learn more about Child United, please visit www.childunited.org. Child United strives to promote education to the poorest children in third world countries. They believe education will lead children to a better future, thus ending the cycle of poverty.

Child United To Drop Off Donations at Philippine Orphanage

2009-07-06T21:06:00.001-07:00

Who: Child United Media Director & Reality Show Star
What: Dropping donations off at Filipino Orphanage
When: June 29th
Where: Philippines
Why: Non-profit organization started on a vacation and tradition continues
______________________________________________________________________

Bellevue, WA—Charity can go a long away no matter where you are. For one Eastside resident it means flying half way around the world to drop off much needed clothes and supplies to children at a Philippine orphanage.

Child United Media Director, Maureen Francisco, volunteers for the non-profit organization. The charity helps children in third world countries by opening the doors of educational opportunity to the less fortunate.

Maureen said, "I came from humble beginnings myself where I lived in a house with some 15 family members and we shared one bathroom in the Philippines. I didn’t realize we were poor until we came to America. Thanks to my parents’ commitment to make sure I see the value of continued education, so many doors have opened for me. I’m at a good place in my life. This is the least that I can do.”

Child United started when the Founder went on vacation in the Philippines. She saw first-hand how poverty can destroy the future of young children. Founder Christine Umayam said, “I couldn't go back to my normal way of life after seeing the faces of these kids.”

Two years later, the leadership team makes it a priority that any trips to underdevelopment countries need to also include helping the poorest children through donations.

Maureen, former Solitary 3.0 contestant and football player, has been collecting donations in hopes to bring smiles to young children. Maureen’s football team member, Jenny Lin, gave three bags of donations to Child United. Jenny said, “It feels great.”

To learn more about Child United, please visit www.childunited.org. Child United strives to promote education to the poorest children in third world countries. They believe education will lead children to a better future, thus ending the cycle of poverty.

###

Sun And Surf Weekend with Child United

2009-07-06T21:04:00.000-07:00

Who: The World Bikini Football League and Child United

What: Picture Taking and Autograph Signing With bikini girls at the Sun and Surf Event.

When: July 25th, Saturday

Where: Ocean Shores Convention Center, 120 West Chance A La Mer Ave. Ocean Shores, WA 98569

Why: For A Good Cause (25% of the proceeds go toward a good cause)
_____________________________________________________________________

Ocean Shores, WA—
Bikinis, Football and Harleys? That’s right, combine all three and that makes it a Sun and Surf weekend. For the first time, The World Bikini Football Players will be at the Harley Davidson event in Ocean Shores on July 25. The girls will take pictures and sign autographs…all benefiting a good cause.

TWBFL has teamed up with Child United, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping impoverished children in third world countries further their education. The bikini girls will be taking pictures with participants, selling the photos with 25% of the proceeds benefiting Child United.

The organization is nothing new to a few members of TWBFL. A coach and football player serve as volunteer directors for the organization.

Maureen Francisco, a football captain and Media Director of Child United said, “I lived in a house with some 15 family members and we shared one bathroom in the Philippines. I didn’t realize we were poor until we came to America. Thanks to my parents’ commitment to make sure I see the value of continued education, so many doors have opened for me. I’m at a good place in my life. This is the least that I can do.”

TWBFL Coach Casey Hills got involved as Child United’s Internet Marketing Director. He says, "My best friend of nineteen years is Filipino. Through spending time with him and his family, I have developed an affinity for the Filipino people and their culture. When I was asked to join the team of Child United, I didn't have to think twice."

It goes to show that some heart can go a long way. The organization started by one person going on vacation to the Philippines. What the founder saw was something she couldn’t forget. Founder Christine Umayam said, “I couldn't go back to my normal way of life after seeing the faces of these kids.” She saw first-hand how poverty can destroy the future of young children.

The leadership team is dedicated to helping local charities further their cause. For more information about Sun and Surf, visit the website at: www.sunandsurfevent.com. For more information about TWBFL (www.twbfl.com) or Child United (www.childunited.org), please contact Maureen Francisco at 253.709.3650.
###

Education Makes A Difference: A Personal Story

2008-04-09T21:55:00.000-07:00

I learned about giving as I grew up from my own mother. She helped provide education to my cousins in the Philippines.... many who are well educated and have a great future now.

Let me tell you about my cousin, Elgene. His father (my uncle) had died years ago of emphysema. A few months after his dad died, his mom also passed away from a heart problem. So he was left to fend for himself. He had a younger sister and two brothers... all left parentless with no support. Elgene knew the only way to support his family was to have an education so he asked my mother for help to send him to college. In addition, I gave money whenever he needed it.

I'm very proud to say he had graduated college with a teaching degree in March 2008. He will help other poor children receive an education. This is his graduation picture... and a note of his gratitude. You too can make a difference.

Comment:

2008-03-18T21:04:00.000-07:00

Hi Christine,

While searching for FIlipino businesses located here in Seattle I
found childunited.org website. First in behalf of those FIlipino kids
that you want to help I want to say Salamat.

I am very sympathetic to your cause. I remember one late night while I
was driving in Makati I was approached by this child seling
sampaguita lei. When I asked him why he is still out there almost
midnight his response was for him to earn to finance his education.
But that's not the most depressing part, My husband and I are
currently constructing our home office in Lipa south of Manila and our
lead guy is sleeping in the site fearing that kids will steal the
construction materials. Kids are now finding a way to fight poverty
by stealing cable and selling the copper.

Anyway at the back of my mind I have to do something about this. And
it felt so good to see that someone is doing it. Somebody listen to
this helpless voice.

I am a Filipina and right now here in US. I am with my husband in
Mercer Island. We are currently staying in his parents home here in
the island.

I will surely love to hear form you.

Mabuhay !

Rose Manalo Bortles

Comment:

2008-03-18T20:59:00.000-07:00

This email comes from Peter, who saw Child United in Northwest Asian Weekly:

I saw your article in the NW AWeekly - wow
what an impressive work you're doing! I'm in the process of building my own
small business and would like to donate to yours.

The others that I've already planned to donate to are
- Lunalilo Home &
the Shriners Hospital for children
I'm from the islands & I feel strongly about giving back to the
islands/home that I grew up in. If you're familiar with these 2? /thats why
yours is interesting to me too.
I'm not all finished with my web sight to sell my products -when
it gets closer, I'll contact you again.
I'm part filipino & from the islands - both my grandparents on my dads
side came from the philippines...

My pastor & a chuch friend are there right now under a ministry --
bagsofjoy2007.blogspot.com
much aloha
peter