RCMS Celebrates 19th Year with Senden Home Boys
February 13, 2009, Makati City
By Pres. Edna Gan, RC Makati Salcedo

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times... we had our ups and we had our downs... we had fun and camaraderie but we also had fights and sibling-like rivalries... we had feasted and we went hungry more times than we ever care to remember...  we helped others and then realized that we were really helping ourselves... now we are 19... more comfortable with each other... work and move like one family, think as one and committed to the Rotary ideals and motto as one should be..."

"WE ARE 19 AND WE ARE PROUD TO BE SALCEDIANS!"

The Rotary Club of Makati Salcedo (RCMS) celebrated its 19th Charter Anniversary last February 7, 2009.  As per tradition of the Club, it was celebrated with the wards of Senden Home, a shelter facility for homeless boys founded by the late Rev. Fr. Francis Senden. Today, Senden Home has 2 locations, one each in Sta Ana, Manila and Binangonan, Rizal.

RCMS' "love affair" with Senden Home began in 1994 during the term of PP Fer Martinez, and since has been a regular donor of the facility by granting the wishes of the boys given in a wish list, usually distributed during the club’s charter anniversary celebration, highlighted by a fast food theme party.

This year was another exciting event.  Club members went to Senden Home carrying with them items on the boys' wish list: cavans of rice, canned goods, noodles, juices, biscuits, blankets, mats, school supplies, personal care items and a fax machine that Senden Home has been wanting to acquire.

The members of the Rotaract and Interact Clubs of Southville Foreign University (SFU) came in full force to join the celebration.  They played the role of party hosts and conducted story telling, drawing contest and games, which made the celebration truly fun and exciting for the boys, who actively participated in the activities.  The presence of the Jollibee mascot made the atmosphere even more colorful.  Jason, one of the Senden Home boys, won the drawing contest, the theme of which, was about the environment.

Everybody had fun, the Salcedians, the Rotaractors and Interactors, the Senden Home staff and, most especially, the boys of Senden Home.  They were so thankful that they approached each Salcedians and guests to personally thank them for a very memorable day.

As Senden Home Director, Antonio Obtinario, remarked, “this is one of the most unique activities ever conducted at Senden Home.”