By V. Sivaji
Persatuan Kebajikan Setia Ikhlas Pulau Pinang held a successful fundraising dinner at the Berjaya Hotel Penang raising a good amount of money for the needy and the underprivileged here.
The dinner saw some 500 guests and well-wishers gather at the hotel’s ballroom.
.Guest of honour was Penang Deputy Chief Minister II, YB Jagdeep Singh Deo who was also accompanied by his family.
The president of the association, Dato Aloysius Gasper and his committee were on hand to welcome guests.
“The association aims to enhance the living environment of the less fortunate from all ethnicities. They have played a significant role in enhancing the quality of life for these needy groups” said Jagdeep in his address.
He also called upon all to respect each other’s culture and tradition while we must also learn to co-exist among the various races in the country
He also pledged a donation of RM15,000 towards the charitable programmes of the association.
Earlier, Aloysius expressed his gratitude to well-wishers and donors for their kind contribution towards the charitable activities of the association.
Guests were from as far as Kuala Lumpur, Australia, Germany, Singapore, Holland and even Dubai.
Entertainment for the evening was provided by the six piece band “Moments” from Kuala Lumpur who rendered upbeats and popular numbers as guests took to the dance floor to party and enjoy themselves.
Master of ceremony Jude Nagalingam and deejay Sunny Mavi also helped to make the evening an enthusiastic and memorable night.
Among the homes and charitable organisations from the good work of the association are the
Little Sisters of the Poor, Tamil Methodist Church’s children, Children of Assumption Learning Centre, Linda Capel Blind Home, Persatuan Kebajikan Kanak-kanak OKU, Taman Island, Pulau Pinang, Persatuan Penyayang Warga Tua Pulau Pinang, Child Protection Services, Crystal Family Home, Yee Ran Jing Sheh Handicapped Children’s Home, Leisure Health Care Centre, Pertubuhan Rumah Sinar, Harriet’s Matching Home, Family Hope Home, Eden Handicapped Service Centre, St. John Britho’ Church, SIMA Handicapped Centre, Cheshire Home, Masjid Wan Chik Ariffin, Visually Impaired Home to name a few.
Several of the charitable homes were also invited to enjoy the dinner and also win some prizes at the lucky draw.