THANK YOU: Chai (third left) receiving the RM10,000 donation from Marilyn while others look on.
MIRI: Sunflower Centre here held its Christmas year end party on Wednesday with food, games, songs and dances attended by 94 students, their parents, staff as well as committee members of the centre.
A local golfer, Marilyn Raja paid a surprise visit to the centre. She had raised more than RM10,000 for the centre.
“I must thank her and other kind-hearted donors and hope that many will emulate their caring deeds,” the centre’s chairlady Liza Chai told The Borneo Post yesterday.
Chai said the centre which was non-profit making and an independent body depended very much on the public’s support.
“Our only income is derived from activities like laundry washing, making cookies, growing organic vegetables and sales from recycling products.
“On an average, RM5,000 to RM6,000 per month is raised, which is not enough to cover our overhead expenses of RM15,000 to RM16,000 per month,” Chai disclosed.
Among the committee members present were Joceyln Hii, Roland Tan and Jennie Soh.
Sunflower Centre formed in March 1982, under the umbrella of the Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC) Miri Chapter caters to children and young adults up to 30 years old who are mentally and/or physically handicapped.
The centre aims to help develop them to their full potential educationally and socially to enable them to make positive contributions to society.
They have trained teachers to train children on specialised skills and basic communication and home care.
The older ones are trained on special skills like laundry washing, housekeeping and gardening.
For those who wish to make donations, contact Sunflower Centre at 085-425421 or email to [email protected].