La Salle athletes launch donation drive to help homeless amid pandemic

MANILA, Philippines—De La Salle’s student-athletes continued their efforts in helping those affected after Luzon was put under enhanced community quarantine amid the COVID-19 crisis.

Back in March, La Salle and College of St. Benilde opened Razon Sports Complex and their covered courts, respectively, as shelter to the homeless. This time, Lady Shuttlers captain Iyah Sevilla initiated the donation drive “Stronger Together” for the guests at the facilities.

She also called on the other captains of La Salle’s varsity teams for assistance.

“Because we’ve been seeing news from TV and from social media that DLSU and CSB have opened their gates for the individuals and families affected by COVID-19,” said Sevilla, who captained La Salle to the silver medal in the UAAP Season 82 women’s badminton tournament.

“So I told myself, why not make a donation drive to help our guests and most of the captains agreed.”

Lady Fencers Pat Eusebio and Nicole Alcaraz, who led the foil team to the gold medal in the Season 82 women’s fencing tournament, and Lady Tanker Ace Agustin heeded Sevilla’s call.

“We were lucky because several other athletes volunteered to help us with the process like making the pubs and arranging the in-kind donations,” said Agustin.  “It has really been a team effort.

As of April 16, the group has raised P10,400 that went directly to Arnold Janssen Kalinga Center.

Help, though, is still needed and the group is happy to receive any form of assistance to make sure the hundred-plus people inside the facilities are well taken care of.

Rice, canned goods, bread, biscuits, and drinking water are the priority products.