Foundation 27472 Portola Parkway Foothill Ranch, CA 92610 Contact: Kristina Helms (949) 378-7946 [email protected] For Immediate Release ______

Arnel Pineda Foundation Launches Its First Medical Mission

FOOTHILL RANCH, CA – January 27, 2010 – In cooperation with General Hospital, Beta Sigma Fraternity, and the ABE Movement, the Arnel Pineda Foundation (APF) hosted its first medical mission, Mission of Hope, in Metro , on January 14 and 16. This all-in-one mission provided basic medical, dental, and vision care services to the poor. With the help of over 250 volunteers including 70 medical doctors, dentists, and optometrists, the Mission of Hope benefited over 8,000 impoverished children and adults. All children were also given meals catered by Tamayo, and families also received assortment of dry foods and canned goods. Toys and other basic necessities were also given at the site.

With the recent tropical storm Ketsana, known locally as Ondoy, that hit Metro Manila back in September of last year, the APF Mission of Hope was able to aid those who have been affected by the devastation. “This medical mission is part of the emergency response to help the victims of the recent calamity, especially children, who have no access to medical care,” says Merlita Helms, APF President and Co- Founder.

Dr. Joseph Mendoza of Northern California, Dr. Emilie Yambao of Quezon City General Hospital, Dr. Nunez , Dr. Maria Luisa Vales of Southern California and Rommel Abesamis from the ABE Movement headed APF’s Mission of Hope. Medical mission coordinators included APF Board Member, Glenda Bule; So. California Fundraising Coordinator, Anabelle Abesamis; and Philippine Representative of APF, Miles Casala. Over 30 volunteers from the US also joined the mission as volunteers.

Corporate sponsors for the APF medical mission were eyewear companies Oakley, Oliver Peoples, and N3L Optics, as well as pharmaceutical companies Neoderm Inc., Centinela Hospital Medical Center, and Bayer Healthcare LLC.

-MORE- Major financial contributors included the legendary American rock band, Journey, the Josh Groban Foundation/Grobanites for Charity, the Golden State Warriors, and private donors. In addition, the Arnel Pineda Foundation raised over $40,000 since October 2009 for its Mission of Hope. The remaining funds will go towards 2010 street education programs.

About the Arnel Pineda Foundation The Arnel Pineda Foundation (APF) is a 501 (c)(3) public charity foundation. Founded by Arnel Pineda, lead singer of the legendary American rock band Journey, APF was incorporated in October 2008 as a non-profit charity organization in the state of California. APF holds numerous fundraising events in various states and countries with its ultimate goal in mind - to provide essential needs that every child deserves, and to help provide a safe environment where they can learn, grow, and achieve by giving to the street children their hope which is education. For more information, please visit www.arnelpinedafoundation.org.

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