Good Samaritans need help, too. It is costly to run welfare homes, so the Star Foun­dation has contributed RM227,600 to eight such organisations.

Persatuan Kebajikan Kanak-Kanak Istimewa Daerah Seberang Perai Selatan was the main recipient, receiving RM50,000 to support its monthly expenses.

Its chairman Tan Cheng Liang said the money would also cover the salaries of six teachers, a driver and a cook, who would also provide janitorial services, for at least five months.

All in, she said the welfare centre needed about RM120,000 a year to run early intervention programmes, a day care service and skills training for those with special needs.

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The centre, which operated from two semi-detached houses, catered to 72 residents aged between five and 40.

“They are mainly from poor and middle income families who only pay RM50 a month. We are very grateful to the Star Foundation for the donation,” she said.

Star Media Group and Star Foundation chairman Datuk Fu Ah Kiow said that since it inception, the foundation had assisted registered organisations that focused on helping the less fortunate.

As a corporate citizen, he said the Star Media Group believed in doing all it could to give back to society.

In his speech, Fu said the Star Foundation also set up a medical fund that offered help to underprivileged individuals, especially children in need of medical care and treatments for chronic illnesses.

Other recipients present yesterday were Damai Disabled Person Association Malaysia, Cancerlink Foundation, Pertubuhan Kebajikan Mental Selangor, Pusat Jagaan Siddharthan, Pusat Sinar Hidup Emmanuel Melaka and Shelter Home Seremban.

Pusat Jagaan Permata Rohani was unrepresented at the ceremony.

To mark the Star Media Group’s 45th anniversary and as part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives, seven wheelchairs were presented to needy recipients.

This made a total of 20 wheelchairs given out this year.

Also at the ceremony yesterday were Star Foundation trustees Datuk Dr Aminuddin Mohd Rouse and Datuk Tan Chong Seng, Star Media Group chief operating officer Calvin Kan and The Star editor-in-chief Datuk Leanne Goh.

Source:
courtesy of THE STAR

by NEVILLE SPYKERMAN

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