WALK THE TALK: ANCOPWALK 2011 EDMONTON

It was a clear, sunny day of sheer excitement for some 250ish members of the Couples for Christ community in Edmonton last August 20, 2011.  The day marked the 7^th Annual Ancop Walk, highly anticipated for it’s no nonsense delivery of assistance to Ancop sponsored projects.

ANCOP, ANswering the Cry Of the Poor, has become the cornerstone of the Couples for Christ outreach programs.  True to Christian ideals, it is the perfect vehicle to concretize love of God and love of neighbor. ANCOP challenges true spiritual growth when one is led to “Walk the Talk” and by “Putting Money Where Your Mouth Is”.  Thankfully, Couples for Christ answered with more than $17,000.00 in total donations that day.

This same day this year, Edmonton became one of several simultaneous ANCOP Walks in Victoria, Vancouver, Winnipeg, the Philippines and the Middle East. The world-wide event was started in Vancouver by a group of CFC members longing to show support not only by flipping thru their wallets but also by straining muscles and breaking bones for our less privileged brothers and sisters. From there, it grew to become a passionate expression of support especially for far away CFC members all over the world who could not physically build the Ancop homes, nourish the impoverished children or teach the uneducated, themselves. 

To date, Ancop has already built 2,500 homes, and has helped educate 1,100 kids.  Of these, Edmonton’s 10 homes have been paid for in Malugay, Paranaque, Philippines. With this year’s proceeds, another 10 more are ready to be moved forward out of the 30 units Edmonton has initially committed. 

As well, this year, Ancop Canada has added NIGERIA to its long list of sponsored communities. Yes, Ancop Canada’s Child Sponsorship Program has recently inked support of an initial 15 Nnewi children in Nigeria. And as expected, Edmonton’s generosity rose to support at least 3 of them on the very day of the Ancop Walk.  Truly, the Edmonton CFC community has lived up to expectations as one of the Top Generators of outreach donations.

The 7^th Annual Ancop Walk in Millwoods Park, Edmonton started out with the opening of booths to house the registration table for walk ins and for on line participants; the Flames merchandise and the distribution center for the T Shirts; the Ancop Child Sponsorship table and a separate sponsor booth for Xocai Energy drinks and Dolce Vita Homes. 

Don and Carol Villaflor opened the program by calling on South Chapter Head Manny Cerin to do the Opening Prayers, invoking God to bless the efforts made in His honor. After which, Edmonton’s Cluster head Greg Parillas formally opened the festivities citing the biblical importance of the number 7 and how the natural progression has developed the yearly event into bolder, bigger and better participation. He also called on Canada’s National Head, Nick Borja, whose very presence alone was significant to the event. He cited an all-too-familiar quote “Choose to live simply so that others may simply live,” as the CFC message for the event. While Nick Borja gave an inspirational message, the next guest posed a challenge. MLA for the Millwoods area, Carl Benito, ventured the challenge to make the worthy event even bigger by inviting the participation of the Nigerian community next year. Most importantly, he was willing to help negotiate that the Alberta provincial  government match all donations dollar per dollar. 

With all speakers done, it was time for the warm up exercises preparatory to the walk itself. YFC’s Margaret Villadarez and Johnny Sabejon  made sure everyone was limber and agile for the jogging to follow. Finally, with Security volunteers and Marshalls in place, participants matched around the park twice following their respective banners. All CFC ministries were aptly represented in the year’s Ancop Walk light green T shirts: Kids For Christ, Youth For Christ, Singles For Christ,  Handmaids Of the Lord,  Servants Of the Lord and Couples For Christ. 

For the first time, lunch was served for free due to the generosity of Emma and Juanito Capinpin, members of Couples for Christ in Edmonton. Several prizes from generous donors were also raffled off. Sponsors Xocai and Dolce Vita Homes gave away boxes of Xocai chocolates. Proceeds from the sale of their Xocai energy beverage also went to Ancop. 

Capping the day was an overwhelming “thank you” from Ancop Edmonton’s Nap Llanos.  He announced the day’s production of actual donations and pledges amounted  to more than $17,000.   Apart from the overflowing food, T shirts, raffle prizes, musical presentations, more sponsors and good fellowship, there were generous donations that made the day even more memorable. If there was any day that exemplified Ancop’s motto: Less for self, More for others, Enough for all.. it was that day!   

Contributed by:

Marizza Diaz

Member of Edmonton ANCOP Core Team