‘Our Heartfelt Thank You to Friends, Donors and Advertisers’

 ‘Our Heartfelt Thank You to Friends, Donors and Advertiserswho contributed to the successful 2nd fundraiser of the DENNIS JOHN NIEBAR MEMORIAL CHARITABLE FUND (DJNMCF)!’ (From The Officers)

By: Elsie Sy-Niebar – Founder/President

WE, the Officers of the DJNMCF, are not talking about “success” in terms of revenue or proceeds. WE are talking of SUCCESS in terms of having OUR GUESTS ENJOYED the simple celebration—held last Sunday, August 24, at the Four Points Sheraton O’Hare Hotel in Chicago. .. with homey entertainment, served with a simple but sumptuous dish and wine and, of course, dancing and connecting with Friends. Our new Consul General to Chicago, the Hon. Generoso Calonge had a great time bonding with our guests seated with him as well as with some of our guests that evening. Simple as our event was — our guests told us they had a good time. The best “compensation” to our hard work. Thanks to Him! The DJNMC is a small charity group with “Big Missions” like to purchase a 12- seater van for Faith Community Presbyterian Church (FCPC), located at 3900 N. Plainfield Street in Chicago. This is my church, my First Home when I came to Chicago straight from the Philippines last May 15, 1976. I did not know anybody then, so the first question I asked some Filipinos I first met was “where can I find a Filipino Presbyterian Church?” God led me to a small church founded in 1945 as Filipino Community Church — by some Early Filipinos, who were homesick and were looking for a House of Worship with their fellow Filipinos. The church became a member of the Presbytery of Chicago in 1975. My late husband, Dennis John Niebar, and I were the first couple to be married under the Presbyterian Order last December 9, 1976. We were both broke, the church Family gave us a beautiful Potluck Wedding Reception and found me a borrowed Pitoy Moreno wedding gown owned by one of the church members. Today, FAITH COMMUNITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH is the Home of several Filipinos and other races — belonging to the Protestant faith. . Like the Ellis Islands, it is the “port of entry” to many newly-arrived Filipinos, many of them leave later after finding their “Way” in this country or to relocate. Since the Lord called my husband to “come home” last December 3, 2002, the FCPC is my Family. I would be lost without my FCPC Brothersand- Sisters-in-the-Lord, especially when my Faith needs soothing. We are blessed with a hard-working and spiritual adviser/church Pastor, the Rev. John Chu and his talented (in music) wife, Rebecca, our Music Director. Holding fundraiser nowadays is tough. As the founder and backbone of this small charity, I leave everything to Someone up There. He is the only ONE who truly knows our Mission. I pray HE will continue to bless me with strength and energy. I am so blessed celebrating my SEVENTY PLUS (?) BIRTHDAY and “lookin’ good like sixty” he he he, guests and friends told me. Our proceeds is just a drop in the bucket for the cost of the van. However, we’ve only just begun… We have a long way to go before we can afford a van. Faith can move mountains. God will make a Way. His Way. Our Big Thank you to all our guests and Donors. Every “Pennies from Heaven” counts. Oh, yes, We extend our heartfelt “WELCOME TO CHICAGO” to our new Philippine Consul General GENEROSO D.G. CALONGE, our guest speaker and inducting officer. WE, the DJNMCF Officers presented ConGen Calonge an official “WELCOME TO CHICAGO, THE WINDY CITY” plaque following our induction. A very downto- earth Diplomat, the new Consul General said he welcomes any input from the Filipino Community under his jurisdiction to serve them well. On this two-page spread are “Sights ‘n Sounds” of our fundraiser/celebration. Our thanks and appreciation to our VT publisher, Ms. Veronica Leighton for her one-page donation. PICTURES SPEAK A THOUSAND WORDS!

Photo shows the 2014-2016 OFFICERS OF THE DJNMCF after they were inducted by the PHILIPPINE CONSUL GENERAL GENEROSO D.C.CALONGE, last August 24, held at the Four Points Sharaton O’Hare Hotel. In photo from left to right are: Yoly Zoleta, Director; Leticia Freihaut, Director; Vilma V. Molina, Treasurer; Liza Soriano, Secretary; Lourdes Livas, 1st Vice President; Elenita I. Rubio, M.D and Nunilo Rubio, M.D., Honorary Advisers; Elsie Sy-Niebar, Founder/President; the Hon. Consul General Generoso D.G. Calonge, Guest speaker and Inducting Officer; Evelyn Tolledo, 2nd Vice President; Veronica Fertig, Director; Elsa Castillo, Asst. Treasurer; Julia Chavez, Director; and Irma Miranda, Director. Not in photo are Tessa Comprado, Myrna Mahant, Directors; Dr. Eusebio Kho and Mrs. Grace Kho, Honorary Advisers. The Khos are in the Philippines where Dr. Kho is a “Balik- Talent Speaker” on the subject of Medicine at Silliman University Founders’ Day annual celebration.(Photo by Rosie Reed)