SSVP receives RM10k from Penang Chief Minister

The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SSVP), Diocesan Council of Penang, received a tremendous boost to their fundraising dinner, when the Penang Chief Minister donated RM10,000.

May 28, 2015

By Lucia Lai
The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SSVP), Diocesan Council of Penang, received a tremendous boost to their fundraising dinner, when the Penang Chief Minister donated RM10,000.

The fundraising dinner on May 9 at the Georgetown City hotel, Penang, saw members and their families and friends from Kedah, Penang and Perak in attendance. Dunstan Dominic, vice president of the SSVP National Council, also attended. The religious present were Bishop Emeritus Antony Selvanayagam, Msgr Bernard Paul, Msgr Michael Cheah and Fr Michael Thoo.

The guest of honour was YB Jagdeep Singh Deo, State Exco who represented the Penang State government.

Generous donors had paid for a table each for the Seminarians, St Nicholas Home for the Blind and children of SSVP’s Friends-In-Need (FIN, previously known as ‘adoptees’).

The Charity Night opened with a short video presentation on how the SSVP works.

The Diocesan Council of Penang president, Shirley Neoh, in her speech thanked YB Lim Guan Eng, Penang Chief Minister, for his kind donation.

She thanked YB Jagdeep Singh for his presence and everyone present for supporting the dinner.

“Because of your support for the dinner and your donations, those in need can find some comfort in life, and children can live their dreams,” she said.

YB Jagdeep Singh in his speech said, “In a multi-racial secular country like Malaysia, such colour blindness is much needed. We must stand united to battle racial and religious extremism and to uphold moderation in order to realise our dream and vision of a truly Malaysian Malaysia,” he said.

“It is with this in mind that I wish to remind all those present of the the significance of an organisation such as the SSVP, which renders assistance to those in need without regard to race, religion or creed.”

He remarked that all those who are involved in charitable organisations are the silent, unsung heroes who certainly must be commended and encouraged to persevere with their good and noble work. Thus, the Penang State government appreciates the work of SSVP.

“Finally, I wish to congratulate the SSVP Malaysia in general, and the Diocesan Council of Penang in particular, for all the charitable work that you have undertaken to help the under-privileged and needy.

“The 700-odd members throughout the country have continued with the work started some 176 years ago by blessed Frederic Ozanam, and have helped, in one way or another, a human being or family, to live a better life.”

He wrapped up his speech by quoting St Vincent de Paul, “There is no charity that is not accompanied by justice or that permits us to do more than we reasonably can”, and said that he hoped that the SSVP would continue with its works of charity, which is also the work of justice.

Total Comments:0

Name
Email
Comments