Janine Gutierrez launches fundraiser for COVID-19 frontliners, underprivileged communities

Janine Gutierrez (Image: Instagram/@janinegutierrez)

Janine Gutierrez has started a fundraising initiative to provide health workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) and food to underprivileged communities amid the COVID-19 crisis.

The actress began calling for donations last Sunday, April 12, in a vlog post on her YouTube channel. Gutierrez introduced the initiative, called “The Bright Side Project,” at the end of the clip that showed highlights from her trip to the New York Fashion Week event in February.

The actress and her friends came up with the effort in light of the enhanced community quarantine being extended to April 30.

They have partnered with Ateneo de Manila University’s Tanging Yaman Foundation and another relief operation called “#BaryaNiJuan” for the cause. The collected amount will be used to provide COVID-19 frontliners with PPE and give food and essential items to those living in underprivileged communities.

Gutierrez acknowledged that many may have already donated to various causes since the quarantine began, so she and her team have found a way to give back to the donors. The actress explained that a donation of P250 will entitle a person to one raffle entry for a chance to win a Louis Vuitton wallet from her.

Those interested in helping may donate through their crowdfunding page or to these accounts:

GCash
Lora Maxine Gutierrez
0999 995 8723

BDO
Diego Gutierrez
Savings Account
004360135443

Gutierrez also reminded her followers to send a screenshot of their donation to [email protected] to validate it as a raffle entry. While one must give at least P250 to participate in the raffle, she assures that any amount will help. She and her friends will announce the winner on April 18.

The actress later revealed that she had originally planned to sell the wallet, but decided otherwise to support their initiative.

“Instead of just selling the wallet and donating the profit, we came to the conclusion that we could raise more money by giving everyone a chance to donate a small amount; and as a thank you, someone will receive the item,” she said in the video’s description. “In these difficult times, we thank you for being the bright side.”

Along with Gutierrez, other celebrities such as Angel Locsin, Julia Barretto and Pia Wurtzbach have also raised funds for various COVID-19 relief efforts.  /ra

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