CHIEF Minister Chow Kon Yeow lent the state government’s support to the Salvation Army Penang Open Day by attending the event at its premises in Jalan Logan and donating RM10,000 from his office.
He commended the Salvation Army in Penang, sponsors, donors, stallholders, staff, volunteers and the patrons for supporting the fundraising event.
“We are gathered here for one common goal – to raise funds to help the disadvantaged in our community through the Salvation Army.
“Over the years, the Salvation Army Children’s Home in Penang has helped countless children by ensuring they are sheltered in a safe home environment, receive an education and are given counselling and guidance that they need to ensure they are able to cope and adapt to their new environment.
“All of this is done to ensure the children are raised to become responsible citizens of Malaysia,” Chow said in his speech.
He said the Salvation Army has been faithfully serving the Penang community and many other communities across the nation for 81 years since starting its work in Malaysia in 1938, beginning in Penang.
The Salvation Army Corps and Community Services in Penang have also been dedicated to helping the needy through their feeding programme, food parcels, counselling sessions and family visitations.
Besides that, they have the ‘Family Thrift Stores’ that aim to help the environment by recycling old furniture, clothing and much more. A lot of these are resold to needy families at very affordable prices.
Chow said the famous saying by Sir Winston Churchill, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, that “Where there is a need, there is the Salvation Army!” still rings true today.
Chow urged the visitors and public to give generously so that the Salvation Army could continue with their good work.
Major Winsome Mason, the territorial programme secretary of the Salvation Army, also thanked the many visitors, 80 stall operators, volunteers and supporters.
“Today’s event is to raise funds to support the continued running of this Home which houses 23 underprivileged children and the social activities carried out for the underprivileged community here in Penang,” Mason said in her speech.
“Over the years, the Salvation Army here has unconditionally assisted underprivileged families with food parcels, providing cooked food for the homeless and the loan of disability equipment to those in need and unable to afford the cost.
“The Salvation Army has never shied away from helping the underprivileged or less fortunate because our motto is ‘Heart to God and Hand to Man’.”
Chow later presented a mock cheque for RM10,000 to Major T. Chelvee, the social and community services officer of Malaysia Salvation Army.
Also present were Penang Salvation Army pro-tem co-officer Major M. Kamala and the Penang Salvation Army assistant superintendent Beck Lurence.
Chow also witnessed the dance presented by some of the home’s children and then toured the stalls which sold a variety of food and delicacies.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi
Video by Chan Kok Kuan