Surrey, B.C.
SPIDS work recognized
By Ted Alcuitas
A Surrey-based Filipino organization has been recognized for its work in the community at awards ceremonies last night (February 28) at the Sheraton Guildford Hotel.
Surrey Philippine Independence Day Society (SPIDS) and its President and Founding Director Narima Dela Cruz were two of the 22 non-profit organizations and community leaders recognized by the SurreyCares Community Foundation.
“SurreyCares Serving with Distinction Awards” was created to celebrate the achievements of the non-profits and charities that serve Surrey so well.
SurreyCares Community Foundation is a not-for-profit charitable organization that provides funding, financial administration and research for the community of Surrey, British Columbia. Better known as a “charity for charities”, Surrey Cares serve the people of Surrey by providing reliable, enduring financial tools to community-minded individuals, families, businesses, non-profit agencies, and fundraising groups. Established in 1994, it is one of 191 community foundations across Canada under Community Foundations of Canada.
SPIDS is an organization of Filipino Canadians who are residents of Surrey and nearby cities. The Society organizes the annual Philippine Independence Day in the city of Surrey every June.
Their 9th year celebration will be held this coming June 11th, Saturday from 9am-4pm at the Bridgeview Park Community Centre in Surrey.
According to information sent to the Philippine Canadian News.com , “SPIDS aims to promote the Filipino culture amongst Filipino-Canadians and fellow Canadians through events and projects, and to instill in the youth not only the love of culture, custom and tradition, but the importance of sharing, caring and giving by engaging in meaningful community activities”.
In recent years, it has been actively involved in different social works that include cleaning parks, schools, and adjacent streets, donating school supplies to underprivileged children, spending few hours on occasion for the group to volunteer to different service oriented organizations, and be the community’s representative and advocate for community service, immigrant support, and volunteerism.
Founder Narima Dela Cruz is a volunteer for various other non-profit organizations including SUCCESS, Surrey Food Bank, Canadian Cancer Society of BC, BC Transplant Society, and Canadian Red Cross.
She was involved in three big fundraising events in Surrey in from 2009 to 2013 raising in excess of $178, 000 toward CRC’s disaster relief around the world. A language translator and interpreter for OPTIONS Surrey, she served at her children school’s PAC for many years and was a school representative to the District PAC in Surrey.
Del Cruz says she was “humbled to be among the many leaders, non -profits, and charities in the community, and grateful for the honour of having both me and my amazing SPIDS group be recognized and appreciated! Karangalang lagi at lagi naming handog sa ating lahi dahil patuloy po ang pangarap para sa lahing Filipino!”
Dela Cruz was one of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrants Award recipient in 2012 and was given the ‘Realtors Care Award’ by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver and B.C. Real Estate Association for her extensive works in the community. Last year, she was named one of only four from BC and only 18 nominees all over Canada to the first ever National Realtor’s Care Award by the Canadian Realtor’s Association.