In a simple ceremony, the Army’s 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division in partnership with the Department of Education, National Commission on Indigenous People, Philippine Information Agency and local chief executives from northern Mindanao and Caraga Regions launched a joint project dubbed as “Project Shoe Box” held at 4ID Grandstand, Camp Evange-lista, this city on Tuesday. A total of 32,739 shoe boxes containing school supplies have been produced and are set to be distributed for Kindergarten to Grade-6 students located in far flung communities in the two regions. The project started on February 2012 during the time of then commanding officer of the 4th Light Armor “Masigasig” Battalion, Ltc. Thomas Sedano, Jr. who was based in Lucena City, Quezon Province when they conceptualized an advocacy that would encourage everyone to help the less fortunate in far flung communities. Major Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr., commander of 4th Infantry Division have expressed his gratitude to everyone who supported and took an active part in the realization of the project. “I would like to thank all the people behind the success of this endeavor. Through this project shoebox we are sharing our blessing to the less fortunate families especially in the far flung areas where basic services could hardly reach their places,” said Madrigal. “We are doing this joint endeavor because everybody believe that education of our youth is the prime important for the future of our Country,” Madrigal added. (4id)