PETALING JAYA: When Haslinda Dol Hamid received wheelchairs from Star Foundation, it was a wish come true.
Haslinda, the co-founder of Rumah Titian Kasih, said while many well-wishers donated food and other necessities, it was rare for the home to receive wheelchairs.
“Bagai bulan jatuh ke riba (it was a wish come true). We really needed wheelchairs (for those at the home).
“Now, we have something that will benefit both our senior citizens and children,” said Haslinda, who was at Menara Star on Tuesday to accept four wheelchairs donated by the foundation, the charitable arm of Star Media Group.
Rumah Titian Kasih is a home for children and senior citizens.
The ceremony at Menara Star saw Star Foundation trustee Datuk Aminuddin Mohd Rouse presenting 13 wheelchairs and RM45,000 to non-governmental groups and individuals from all over the country.
Salasiah Ibrahim, who has issues with her knees due to complications from diabetes, was another recipient of a wheelchair.
Welcome donation: Dr Hou (third from right), flanked by Benjamin on his right, presenting a mock cheque to Fauziah (second from right) and wheelchairs to Abdullah (third from left) at The Star’s Johor Bureau.
“It’s so nice to have a wheelchair now. Before this, I needed to walk to my doctor’s appointment and it’s especially difficult if the walk from the car to the doctor’s office is too far,” said the 73-year-old.
Suriana Welfare Society Malaysia executive director Scott J. Wong said the RM10,000 donation would go a long way towards helping the group with its activities such as therapy programmes and tuition classes for abuse victims.
Other recipients were Anbu Ilam Welfare Home, Persatuan Kebajikan dan Perpaduan Rakyat Malaysia, Lovely Nursing Centre and Pusat Jagaan Titian OKU Nur.
Star Foundation also contributed RM50,000 for the purchase of a 12-seater Toyota Hiace van for Pertubuhan Kebajikan Waja Home.
In Johor Baru, Pertubuhan Kebajikan Shafar Johor Baru founder Fauziah Shaik Omar said the RM15,000 contribution from the foundation would be used to manage its Rumah Anak-Anak Yatim Shafar.
Located in Jalan Limau, Kampung Pasir, the orphanage for girls aged between seven and 12 was set up in 2015.
“We need about RM20,000 monthly to run the home and the money goes to the children’s school-related expenses, tuition fees, transportation and outdoor activities,” she said after receiving the mock cheque from MCA vice-president Datuk Dr Hou Kok Chong at the Star Media Group Johor Bureau office on Wednesday.
Also present was Star Media Group Johor bureau chief Nelson Benjamin.
Pusat Jagaan Warga Emas Nur Ehsan assistant manager Abdullah Ibrahim said the four wheelchairs it received from Star Foundation would come in handy.
The home, which opened in 2009, cares for neglected senior citizens, the homeless and patients abandoned by their families after they are discharged from hospitals.
Commending the foundation for its continuous contributions to needy charitable bodies and organisations over the years, Dr Hou said it set a good example of giving back to society.
The private sector, he added, had a role to play in providing financial assistance to the needy and complementing efforts by the Government to help the less fortunate.