Wishesland gets RM5,000 federal grant to run its first-ever charity sale to raise funds
KUCHING: Wishesland has received a federal grant of RM5,000 from Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Chong Chieng Jen, which it will use to run its inaugural charity sale.
The sale will take place in Dewan Masyarakat MBKS at Jalan Padungan here this Nov 20, running from 7am to noon.
According to Wishesland president Chi Poh Yung, the main objective behind the organisation of the charity sale is to raise funds slated for covering the centre’s daily operational and developmental expenses.
The Wishesland centre at Jalan Crookshank here currently houses 41 children and has three full-time personnel and one parttime staff member.
Its average monthly expenses reaches RM10,000, comprising staff salaries, payments for utilities bills and other costs for general maintenance.
“The beautification work on ‘ Wishes Magick Garden’ is in progress now. Members of the public who pass by the traffic light at Jalan Tan Sri Ong Kee Hui towards Jalan Crookshank would be able to see a huge sculpture of a human head with brains located in front of the centre.
“The Wishesland’s mascot has been completed and is placed at the Wishes Welcoming Zone. Currently, we are working on four cat sculptures to be placed in front of the staircase leading to our centre,” he told reporters yesterday after the presentation of the cheque by Padungan assemblyman Wong King Wei on behalf of Chong.
Chi and other Wishesland board members also brought Wong and his entourage for a tour around Wishesland, where the assemblyman learned more about the centre and the challenges in running it.
Back on Wishesland’s inaugural charity sale, Chi disclosed that Junior Chamber International (JCI) Kuching and Noble Pledge Foundation had agreed to be the co-organisers.
“I believe that with their (JCI Kuching and Noble Pledge’s) vast networks, this year’s charity sale should be able to achieve its target of raising at least RM200,000.
“We also welcome those interested to set up stalls for the charity sale. To date, 60 stall operators have confirmed their participation. We are targeting to have 200 stalls,” he said.
Sales coupons are now available for purchase at Wishesland, or Tom Digital branches in King’s Centre ( Kuching), Jalan Satok ( Kuching), Batu Kawah New Township, E-Mart Batu Kawah and Kota Samarahan; or at the Empire Hair Salon on Level 2 of Wisma Saberkas here.
For further information, call Wishesland at 019-2288419 ( Chi) or 082-252210 (Agnes).