KUCHING: Sports Toto Malaysia Sdn Bhd handed out ang pows and mini hampers to 400 needy elderly citizens here, yesterday.
Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng officiated at the 33rd Sports Toto Chinese New Year Ang Pow Donation Campaign here at Che Hia Khor Moral Uplifting Society, Jalan Ellis.
In his remarks, Wee said that philanthropy is something that he has been championing and believed that everyone are firm believers of charity.
“Being Sarawakians, we are truly blessed to be living in a multicultural society that celebrates diversity.
“Here (in Sarawak), we live beyond the limitation of cultural boundaries where not only do we accept and respect each other’s traditions, but we also embrace and celebrate them together.
“It is of utmost importance that our future generations are exposed adequately to the cultures, heritages, religious knowledge, customs and traditions of our various communities,” he said.
Wee added that by planting the seeds of unity at a tender age, children will grow up to become Sarawakians who are understanding, respectful, and appreciative of the values of unity and toleration.
On the donation campaign, Sports Toto began a six-day campaign from Jan 9 to 14 which will be held in 50 cities and towns nationwide to benefit over 19,000 needy senior citizens aged 60 years and above.
Sports Toto East Malaysia regional manager Renee Wong shared that through the campaign, they aim to achieve the objective of instilling positive values such as respecting and caring for the elders.
“The Chinese New Year Ang Pow Donation Campaign is Sports Toto’s major ‘helping hands’ programme which carries out various corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects throughout the year.
“As a responsible corporate citizen, we (Sports Toto) believe that festive seasons are the best time for reaching out to the underprivileged,” she said.
To date, Sports Toto has contributed over RM22 million benefitting more than 410,000 senior citizens nationwide since the inception of the donation campaign in 1988.
Wee, impressed with Sports Toto’s charity work, congratulated them for appropriately reflecting on a famous Chinese proverb: “What you gain from the community, you shall utilise or give them back to the community”.
“The truth about human nature is that we often feel happiest when we get to help others. Universal compassion separates the human race from every other mammal in this world.
“Universal act of kindness, charity and philanthropy are exclusive features of the human race. By being generous in offering help, not only do we assist the needy, but we are also nourishing our own soul.
“Hence, I would like to call upon corporations in the state to emulate the noble act of giving back to the community like what Sports Toto is doing,” he said.
