Celebrating 10 years of volunteerism

ROSE Charities Malaysia (RCM) reached yet another milestone when it held its 10th anniversary dinner at Evergreen Laurel Hotel in Gurney Drive today to celebrate 10 years of volunteerism.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who graced the event together with his wife, Tan Lean Kee, congratulated RCM for carrying out numerous community-based social services and projects to benefit and serve the less fortunate, the disabled and the challenged.

“The state government appreciates your efforts and projects to bring about a happier and a more meaningful life to the less fortunate,” Chow said in his speech.

“I would also like to congratulate ROSE for going to have a soft launch of its Senior Resource Centre in Codrington Avenue on Dec 14.

“It will be a good place for the seniors to get together to encourage one another as we face life’s challenges.”

ROSE Charities Malaysia members performing a Baba-Nyonya traditional dance at their association’s 10th anniversary dinner.

Chow ended his speech with a quote from Sir Winston Churchill: “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”

Among the dignitaries at the dinner were ROSE Charities International Chair and RCM president Datuk Lawrence Cheah and his wife Datin Lily Cheah, ROSE Charities executive secretary general Dr William Grut and RCM patron Kevin Lee and his wife Karen Lee.

Also present were Penang Council of Justices of the Peace president Datuk Seri R. Arunsalam, Penang Hill Corporation general manager Datuk Cheok Lay Leng and organising chairman Vince Yeoh and his wife, Tiffany Yeoh.

Chow said he was pleased with the presence of Dr Grut, who specifically flew to Penang for the celebration from Vancouver, Canada.

He also praised him for spending over 40 years of service on community development projects in New Guinea, Cambodia, Angola, Rwanda, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Chow (in coat) and his wife, Tan, joining the dignitaries and the organising committee members of the ROSE Charities Malaysia to sing a ‘Happy Birthday’ song before the cake-cutting ceremony to celebrate their association’s 10th anniversary do.

Cheah thanked their sponsors and the state government for the support that enabled them to touch lives.

He also paid a special tribute to women, who make up 80% of their members, for their inspiration and services.

“Women power is getting stronger and stronger by the day.

“This is what the Chief Minister wants to do via the Penang2030 vision by providing equal opportunity for everyone to enjoy a better life, better facilities and better income.”

Cheah also commended the state government for increasing its appreciation gift to senior citizens from RM130 to RM150 next year.

Lee (right) donating RM15,000 cheque to Cheah (second from left), who received it on behalf of Rose Charities. With them are Yeoh (left) and Dr Grut (centrre).

In his speech, Cheah gave a meaningful quote from Dalai Lama, saying “The best way to help ourselves is to help others.”

This was one of the two quotes evidently displayed on the two posters near the entrance to the ballroom where the dinner was held for about 400 attendees.

The other quote was from the late American president Ronald Reagan, “We can’t help everyone but everyone can help someone.”

It was also a memorable night for several members who received long service awards.

The association’s patron, Kevin Lee, later donated a mock cheque for RM15,000 to the association.

Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Law Suun Ting
Video by Chan Kok Kuan