The Star :: Sunday, August 24, 2008

SRI Kuala Lumpur in Subang, Selangor, has always been into charity. It held its first charity drive in 1999.

Themed “A helping hand speaks louder than words”, the initiative netted RM90,000.

A second fundraising initiative in 2004, themed “What comes from the heart goes to the heart”, garnered RM230,000.

 
Sri KL students warmed the hearts of the audience with their show of patriotism at the Merdeka celebrations held in their school.

As 2008 marks 29 years in education for the Sri KL Group, another community service project was planned recently. The objective was to raise RM300,000 for 10 selected charity institutions under the theme “The magic of sharing”.

The drive began in May with the Leo Club’s charity dinner.

This was followed in June by the staging of Thumbelina, a musical drama that highlighted young talents from the primary school.

In July, a day-long food and fun fiesta was held on the school grounds where students, staff and parents worked together to raise funds.

A golf tournament and dinner were held at Kota Permai Golf and Country Club as the grand finale of the charity drive.

Everyone chipped in - from the school’s staff and parents to students from its preschool, primary and secondary sections - to help the underprivileged and foster a sense of compassion among the youngsters.

The total sum raised surpassed expectations as it came up to more than RM450,000. This meant that the list of beneficiaries had to be revised to include more institutions and individuals.

A cheque presentation ceremony was held recently in conjunction with the school’s annual Merdeka celebrations.

Parents packed the school auditorium to enjoy a concert which saw students, including preschoolers, getting together to present songs and dances.

The little ones not only sang and danced but also marched and told stories, winning the hearts of the audience with their show of patriotism.

OM Education Sdn Bhd executive chairman Tan Sri Datuk Ir Othman Merican presented the cheques to institutions and individuals from Subang Jaya and the neighbouring constituencies.

Aid recipients included baby Yee Jian Wen, who recently underwent a successful heart operation in Kuala Lumpur.

Another recipient was single mother Lee Lay Peng who lost her husband last year and two of her children in a road accident recently.

“It is evident that the ‘Magic of sharing’ has brought great happiness to both the organisers and the recipients of the fundraising drive,” said Sri KL’s chief executive officer Hanif Othman Merican.