By Steve Angeles, ABS-CBN North America Bureau
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Chino Hills, CA. – It was a coast-to-coast walk for a cause. Throughout out the 13 states and Canada, Answer the Cry of the Poor, or ANCOP, a group within Couples for Christ, walked 3 miles to raise awareness and funds for needy children in the Philippines.

Their mission is to change the Philippines, by sending the poor to school.

Speed skater JR Celski, a two-time Olympic bronze medalist, helped promote the cause. Celski, whose family is involved with Couples for Christ, said, “many kids in the Philippines, are not able to attend school because of poverty and the situation over there, so just any kind of awareness in America to help the community there is amazing.”

“That will make a difference not only in their lives. Maybe someday when we have children that can go to work and earn their living.  Maybe in the future we’re not going to be a 3rd world country anymore,” said Malou Samson of ANCOP.

Under ANCOP’s child scholarship program, anyone can sponsor a child, by donating as little as a dollar a day. So far, close to 400 children have been able to go to school since the program launched four years ago.

Ricky Coronel is currently sponsoring one child. “So, Sam I’m doing this for you, for all the Sams, the Janes, the Marias, the Josephines, the third world country in the Philippines, the future of tomorrow lies on our children.  They are our hope,” explained Coronel.

Interested donors can participate by contacting their local ANCOP or Couples for Christ chapter.  ANCOP’s goal is to raise one million dollars by the end of 2010. A million dollars would send 300 kids to school.

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