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DECEMBER 2025
COMMUNITY NEWS - DECEMBER 2025
FilAm Lions Chubs help in time of food insecurity; Serve hot meals every Wednesday at Rizal Center
By Norma Manankil
Volunteerism Columnist
FREE Meals and food giveaways during the Season of Thanksgiving are a usual happenings but Chicago Mabuhay Centennial Lions Club donate and serve food regularly, every Wednesday at Rizal Center, 1332 W. Irving Park in Chicago to senior citizens and to anyone in need of hot food or facing hunger.
The Club president, Reynel Espiritu, said that lately the Chicago Fil-
USA Lions Club members also give his group some help and the members of that club are now serving lunch and also donating food stuff.
Espiritu’s Lions Club also partnered with Elgin’s Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and in collaboration with Vee Armer in providing hot meals to federal employees on Nov. 3 -5 during the government shutdown when essential workers continued reporting to work even when their paychecks were withheld.
TSA, SSA , RRB workers at Midway Airport and Social Security Administration offices at the West Loop were served meals when they faced food insecurity due to the prolonged shutdown. The need was made known by the American Federation of Government Employees Local 375 and Espiritu’s group duly responded.
Lioness Herminia Espiritu and her fellow members were key in the success of this volunteerism projects. “We are hoping that more people will share their blessings and start giving back to the community,” says Reynel. To volunteer or to avail of the group’s services, Call 708-369-7525.
PH Consulate General of Chicago, Area KORs to mark 129th year of Jose Rizal’s Martyrdom
THE 129th death anniversary of the Philippine National Hero, Dr Jose Rizal, will commemorated on Dec. 30 at 9:15 am with a floral offering and brief cultural program at the Rizal Monument at Margate Park at the Chicago North Side to be followed by a brunch reception at the Kalayaan Hall at 122 S. Michigan Ave. Suite 1600, Chicago.
The event will be headed by Consul General Melanie Rita Diano and Knights of Rizal Area Commander Mariano A. Santos, KGOR. Consulate officials will also participate along with KOR chapter commanders Edward Brotonel (Chicago), Armando Boncales (Maynilad) and interim-head Felix Gonzales (Malaya).
Dr. Jose Rizal was shot at 7 am, Dec. 30, 1896 at the Bagumbayan (now the Rizal Park) and became a martyr at age 35 for the cause of Philippine Independence. Spanish colonizers condemned him to death accusing him of subversion because of his writings and works for justice and freedom.
The Dec. 30 event is open to all freedom-loving people. The KOR and Ladies for Rizal also welcome persons who would like to spread the ideals of the National Hero,
Call 847 528-4991 for details.
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