‘BIDA Community Run’ drives support for school kits nationwide
Volunteers of I am MAD (Making A Difference) Volunteers, Inc., along with partners and supporters, gathered before sunrise along Bayshore Avenue at the SM Mall of Asia Complex for the first-ever BIDA (Bigay Ayuda) Eskwela Community Run, an initiative that combines fitness and volunteerism to support education.
The run aims to raise donations for the “Bag of Dreams,” a package of essential school supplies for beneficiaries of the 2026 MAD Camps. The program, I am MAD’s flagship initiative, brings volunteers to under-resourced schools nationwide to conduct values formation sessions for students and parents, alongside the distribution of school supplies and bags.
Proceeds from the run will support students participating in the 2026 MAD Camps across communities in Aklan, Bataan, Camarines Sur, Agusan del Norte, Laguna, and Negros Oriental. Each Bag of Dreams represents a step toward empowering a child’s learning journey.
The initiative was made possible through the support of partners PUMA Nitro Run Club, Power Mac Center, Rexona, and Sarangani Electric Company, who joined the effort to champion education and youth empowerment.
The run is part of I am MAD’s 16th anniversary celebration, marking sixteen years of “Shining the Light of Volunteerism” under the campaign theme #BR16HTER.
Beyond the run, the organization recently held its annual MAD Meet, its volunteer reunion and anniversary celebration, for the first time in General Santos City. The gathering brought together volunteers from across the country for team-building activities, recognition of exemplary service, and the announcement of key initiatives and volunteer leaders.
Registration is ongoing for MAD Camps, a volunteer-driven outreach program for children aged 10 to 12. Interested volunteers may sign up at bit.ly/MADcamp2026reg, while donations may be made through bit.ly/bidadonate. (Written by Timothy Santiago, I am a MAD volunteer)
About I am MAD (Making A Difference) Volunteers Inc.
I am MAD (Making A Difference) Volunteers Inc. (I am MAD) is a nationwide, volunteer-powered nonprofit organization focused on mobilizing Filipino citizens, especially the youth, in helping empower our younger generation to discover their dreams and passions, adopt a more values-oriented mindset, and eventually make a meaningful contribution to nation-building.
I am MAD, believe that even through our smallest positive habits and simplest acts of volunteerism, we can contribute to the betterment of our society.
The organization has been twice recognized as one of the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) awardees in 2015 for its main program, I am M.A.D. Camp (under the Culture and Arts, Peace, and Human Development category), and a national finalist in 2018 for its MAD Talks events (under the Culture, Arts, and Heritage category).
