"When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed." — Maya Angelou

That is what I have witnessed during our Early Christmas charity event - The Gift of Giving last Sunday, December 17, 2017 - as we aim to help our less fortunate families by giving them gifts and blessings for them to truly enjoy their Christmas.

We have a lot of Steemians and Non-Steemians (soon to be Steemians) who participated in the event. I am very much grateful to them who contributed their time and effort to make this event successful. It was indeed, a successful celebration!

Photo from other Steemian

Although I didn't have the chance to witness the start and flow of the program as I have to prepare the 150 packed lunch, I was still able to see the best expressions and genuine smiles from the families who were lucky to receive the gifts.

That feeling when someone says "Thank you Ma'am!" and you see the happiness in their eyes because they were blessed and grateful even for the little things! My heart was truly filled with joy. 💟

No words can express the happiness and excitement that we feel even at this moment.

With this, I thank God! Thanks God for the perfect weather, perfect night, perfect people and perfect memories.

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BTS: The Preparation of Foods

As I am assigned to prepare the foods for dinner, I asked help from my mother and sisters to cook and prepare 150 packs. (@jassennessaj trusted my mom when in comes to the preparation of foods.) It was him who bought the 150 packs, spoons and forks and personally delivered it to our house. Such a responsible man! Good job to you, Jass!

We started exactly 12:30 in the afternoon to prepare the foods with each pack consists of: Fried Chicken, Lumpia, Rice, and Salad.

It was quite challenging because we were only 4 person to prepare everything, unlike last Steemit's event *(World Food Day) that I had 2 volunteers.

That was not easy!!! Haha.

But what's important is:

We Made It!

Below are some of the photos as we prepare the foods for Gift Giving Day Event:

Salad na this!
Spices and Everything Nice!
Mother Cook
Lumpia in Cebu Specialty
Fried mode
Salads in the ref
Final Packing of Foods
Salad pa more!
Chef the II
Selfie with Chef II

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Struggles are REAL Fun!

We were enjoying while we were struggling!

Right after we packed all the foods, we experienced BLACKOUT in our place with total darkness and difficulty in looking for vehicles to deliver the foods.

(It actually happened right after this mandatory groufie as we're done packing the foods .)

My mother looked for a tricycle and it took us almost 10 minutes to finally transfered all the packs from the house.

Another 15 minutes to arrive at Tamiya and as soon as I found a vacant taxi, I got all the nerves up to my head when the driver rolled his eyes on me. Aaaaaah!!! (But I'm okay!)

I got so nervous and sad because they we're already looking for me but I had no choice since I was stucked at Tamiya.

Still, I made it at the venue exactly 7:30 PM. Seriously, I was shaking. Haha

So these are all the packed foods delivered.

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Upon entering the door, I saw something that helped me forget the stress and pressure and bad vibes- those SMILES!

Something bad was taken from me, and it was such a great relief! What a lovely and happy Smiles!

Everything is Paid Off!

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As we we're distributing the packed lunch and drinks, everyone seemed to look satisfied about the foods.(Hopefully! Haha)

I really thank everyone for making up and giving other activities to them while waiting for me to arrive. I am just really sorry for the delay. Maybe next time, I'll just buy my own car! Hahaha

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After giving of gifts and dinner to our beloved chosen families, we ended the night with a simple prayer and a song while forming a heart using lighted candles. Lights off - Candles - Music - together with Everybody!

Everyone of us has a single lighted candle and we stepped inside the circle then formed a heart one by one as the music plays.

And Of course, a lot of selfies and group pictures! Yayyy!

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Once again, thank you Steemians, volunteers, co-leaders, to my mother and 3 siblings, my boyfriend, manong mabait na driver, officials and staffs, chosen families, and most especially, God! Thank you to self for making it though you have sleepless nights.

It was a blast! A perfect night! A momentous event! Congratulations everyone!

SteemPH Cebu Core Leaders:
Photo taken from @junebride

Also, A BIG Thanks to @steemph.cebu for initiating this event, and to all the sponsors and donations from other Steemians especially @sndbox and to our friends.

This Gift Giving Event would not have been possible without your support.

May we all have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Photo by: @junebride

P. S.
If you wish to watch other best shots and videos of @junebride during the event, I would recommend you to visit this blog of @junebride.

GRATEFUL VIBES: STEEMITPH.CEBU GIFT GIVING DAY! (MUST WATCH: VIDEO COVERAGE EMBEDDED)

Lots of Love,
*Queenjventurer

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