Successful & Rich…. yet so GENEROUS!

Recently, my girls’ school organized a Jog-A-Thon hoping to raise MYR250,000. The funds are required to change the school’s decade-old air conditioners as well as upgrade their close to obsolete computer laboratory. I wrote emails to the “top guys” at  major Malaysian listed companies, appealing for their support. Honestly I did not expect any response from them. Why should they right? Donating funds to a stranger during such economic conditions? What was I thinking? Many a times my mind and imagination tend to dash-off to an over-run. To my close friends, this would be another of those instances again. I dare not share my bizarre “project” with them. I do not want to be laughed-at and  do not need any negative support. I prefer to keep dreaming ……

Even though I knew that the chances of  these busy individuals reading my email is pretty remote, I went ahead with my plan. I know that if and unless the school has “corporate support”, the chances of meeting the RM250,000 target is close to impossible. An hour after sending my emails, my cellphone rang ….  It’s Mr Thoo Chow Fah. I was shocked, stunned, speechless, ecstatic, hysterical ……… when he pledged his contribution. I was so touched by his kind gesture. Even after I hung up, I was “floating” around the house, finding it difficult to believe that I secured my first contribution within the first hour!

Next, I received a call from Mr Teng Chee Wai’s office requesting more information about the school and the jog-a-thon. I was trying to suppress my excitement as I speak. When this resulted in another cheque with a tidy sum, I had to pinch myself to make sure that it is for real. Holy cow!

It was Datuk Seri Tai Hean Leng’s turn to shock me next. His office rang to tell me of his contribution and informed that the cheque was ready for collection.  Such a kind man. Armed with my GPS, I headed to his office, a part of Kuala Lumpur (KL) that I have never been to. I just could not contain my excitement during my drive there. When I saw the amount written on the cheque, my jaw dropped…..

When I received an email from my favourite property developer (from the man himself) on his contribution, I was beaming from ear-to-ear. I always liked their themed-based developments, which is a close match to current trends and lifestyle. Talking about favourites, my girls were amused that the distributor of Gatorate (their favourite bottled drink) sponsored too. They even took the trouble to personally deliver the cheque to the school.

Another generous donor is Mr KC Tan from Signature Kitchen, well-known for their modern yet practical designs. He ensured that his personal assistant prepared the cheque before he left for a working trip overseas, in order to meet the jog-a-thon deadline. Such a generous and thoughtful boss. I am so envious of his staff.

I spent the rest of the week responding to emails, answering calls, and collecting cheques from all over KL. I was exhausted, but it was the happy kind of exhaustion (if you know what I mean). Frankly I never expected such overwhelming response to my emails….. never expected that Malaysians are so kind, never expected that busy, successful (and rich) bosses can be so generous in the name of charity and the better-ment of the future generation. They had most definitely made  KL and this world a better place to live.

When I got a call from the President Office representing Mr HK Loo, I was no longer surprised. I have gotten used to all the unexpected kind acts that I have the opportunity to be a part off for the past week. All these guys make me feel so proud to be a part of the KL scene. Not to be forgotten is Datuk Albert Cheng. He generously responded to my plea, and his ever so sweet personal assistant made arrangements to ensure my cheque collection was made easier.

Mr Ng Ying Loong supported the jogathon too. His very concerned assistant even offered to deliver the cheque to my house. Such nice people …… I feel so fortunate to meet so many nice and friendly people who treated me so well.

They were many more contributors who have generously contributed but they have requested to be anonymous. I will respect their wishes. Last but not least, I would like to thank my foreign friends for their contributions. He took time off his busy schedule to ensure that I received the funds. I even received contributions all the way from Tokyo and Australia.

Despite all the hard-work by all the teachers, parents and students of the school, we only managed to collect RM156,000. The funds are only sufficient to change the air conditioners. The upgrade of the computer laboratory has to be shelved, temporarily, if and unless a generous donor comes forward………..

Once again, on behalf of all the parents, teachers and students at Chung Kwok School, thank you very much to each and everyone of you, for your generosity.

Teachers, parents, students and guests happily heading towards the venue of the jog-a-thon.

Very popular teachers at the school.

“Mummy, I am going to run very, very fast to thank all my sponsors!”

“Daddy, please make sure that it is tight. I cannot afford any accidents”.

The headmaster having a little chat with the “person-in-charged” up there, negotiating for good weather.

The mandatory warm-up before they were flagged-off.

Words of encouragement between two good friends, just before the 2km jog.

The drills just before they were flagged off.

“I am ready ……… quick blow the whistle!”.

The younger ones needed some daddy support to the finishing line.

“Yeah, it’s the finishing line ……. concentrate …… it will be over soon”.

“Mummy, Daddy, are your proud of us?”