Registration for Million Volunteer Run on Oct. 24-31

The dates are set as the Philippine Red Cross holds a week-long national registration for the Million Volunteer Run on December 4, 2011.

According to Red Cross, the week-long registration which starts Monday, October 24 until October 31 expects to boost the number of participants, especially students.

PRC chair Richard Gordon said the Million Volunteer Run in December will be the defining moment for
the culture of volunteerism in the country.

"A culture that will save our country and our people from the horrors of disasters," said Gordon.
Gordon added that a country like the Philippines that is frequently plagued by disasters must empower itself with humanitarian soldiers equipped with life-saving skills and a heart that beats for humanity.

The Run will highlight the UN Declaration of the year 2011 as the International Year of Volunteers and the annual celebration of International Day of Volunteers every 5th of December.

During the event, each participant will be provided with a Million Volunteer Run t-shirt, a '143' ID with disaster preparedness guide, a whistle, race number, and Red Cross membership card which includes accident insurance benefits.

PRC organized Red Cross 143 volunteers, a flagship volunteer program that recruits and trains 44 volunteers in every barangay – one leader and 43 members - on disaster management including disaster risk reduction and disaster response.

"The best way to prepare for disasters is to train and immerse our people right where disaster strikes," stressed Gordon.

All participants in the Run will be registered as Red Cross 143 volunteers. They will be trained later on disaster management.

Meanwhile, PRC secretary general Gwendolyn Pang added that the Million Run will be held simultaneously in key cities and municipalities in the country in the early morning of December 4.

"It will be open to all, men and women, young and old, able and differently-abled," Pang added.

Registration sites are located at the PRC headquarters on Bonifacio Drive, Port Area Manila, in all of the 100 PRC chapters nationwide, and in selected schools, universities, and malls.

Registration fee is P1,000 each and P500 each for students. Proceeds of the Run will be used to fund the training program of the 143 volunteers.

Interested participants and for more details, please visit the PRC website at www.redcross.org.ph or call PRC headquarters at Tel. Nos. 527-0000 local 114, Fax 5257679, text 09209492972 or visit any of the Red Cross chapters nearest you. - PIA — ARA