Redeemed Starbucks planners help support NGOs

EVERY Christmas season, it has been a tradition for most to collect stickers for the new Starbucks planner.

People have fun and interesting ways to get the planner — some do it on their own, some get together with friends almost every day to help each other with collecting, while some treat it as an actual adventure by visiting different stores to get the required 18 stickers to redeem the stylish planners — which now come with accessories.

But, what really makes the muchcoveted planner special is the fact that for every planner you get, you also contribute to the important cause of helping aspiring artists and public school students in the Philippines.

Since 2004, a share of the proceeds from the planner promotion supports not for profit organizations in their unique ways to improve the lives of Filipinos. Teach for the Philippines (TFP) and the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) have been recipients of this funding support from the planner promotion since 2015 because Starbucks believes in TFP’s and PETA’s individual commitment and distinct approach to positive change. “We recognize the value of education and the arts in our country and we see an opportunity to support these through our two planner promotion beneficiaries, TFP and PETA,” said Noey Lopez, president, Starbucks Philippines.

This rare design in the use of Starbucks grants has allowed PETA to fund artist workshops that encourage and prototype ideas for new productions. Meanwhile, the same freedom has encouraged TFP to bring over 800 public school students from 27 schools to field trips that expand how children perceive their futures. “The support we receive from Starbucks funds TFP Week Flipped and takes students on learning trips to world-class educational and professional offices. These provide interactive learning environments complementary to our day-to-day classroom work and enable many firsts for public school students like their first interaction with robotics or their first trip to a museum or a university. We are very grateful for the continued support that Starbucks gives us,” said Patricia Feria Lim, TFP’s chief strategic resources officer.

“The support is valuable in popularizing educational theater as a means to effect positive change in the country. Scores of underprivileged young Filipinos have been able to watch and experience our theater plays, and teachers from far-flung regions have been given training on the use of arts/theater in teaching,” said Beng Cabangon, PETA executive director.