Hang a Christmas décor, help an Atenean

On this very special season of Christmas, it is often forgotten that the real meaning of the celebration is the fact that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was born into this world to give the greatest gift to mankind. Hence, the idea of gift giving is to honor Jesus Christ for He has given us a gift that we can never repay.

However, we can always thank Him for what He has done for us by continuing the tradition of giving at this time of the year. Just as we give to those who are members of our family, we should not forget to also give to our Ateneo family. What better way can there be than to give to the Ateneo Annual Fund with its goal of “Ateneans Helping Ateneans.”

The Ateneo Annual Fund was conceived to provide assistance to our fellow Ateneans who may, in the course of their studies at the Ateneo de Manila University, encounter family and financial difficulties which may possibly jeopardize the continuation and completion of their studies. The assistance may be in various forms, including loans and outright grants.

This Christmas Season, we are launching a novel way to give to the Ateneo Annual Fund. We have set up a Christmas Tree at the lobby of Xavier Hall with NO decorations at the onset. For a P200 donation, one is given the opportunity to hang a Christmas ornament which will be personalized with a name of the donor’s choice. Our goal is to transform this plain tree into a Christmas tree truly representative of the generous and caring spirit of the entire Ateneo community. Further, to symbolize our unity with the University’s Sesquicentennial celebration which culminates in 2009, we plan to install at least 150 Christmas ornaments on the AAF Christmas tree.

If your heart is compelled to remember Christmas in its true essence of giving, simply go to the GS, HS and LS Cashiers’ Offices or visit us at the Office of University Development & Alumni Relations, Room 213 Xavier Hall, and share with us your donation until December 21, 2007. If you prefer to personally hang the Christmas décor on the tree, you can come and do so the day after you make your donation. On January 7, we will take the tree down and you are free to get the Christmas décor that was on the tree as souvenir of your participation in this effort. You may even want to hang it on your family Christmas tree next year.