GEORGE TOWN: Twenty-five orphans and underprivileged children under the care of the Children's Protection Society of Penang were treated to a fun-filled day of games and activities, and a birthday celebration recently, as part of a series of collaborative charity programmes by quick service restaurant McDonald's and Malay daily Harian Metro.
The McDonald's and Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Community Month Programme and Titipan Kasih Harian Metro (TKHM) also donated bedding supplies for the comfort of the children.
RMHC Malaysia general manager Mohd Nasri Mohd Nordin said the programme was a long-standing initiative to cheer up underprivileged children.
"In conjunction with Community Month this year, more than 300 McDonald's restaurants nationwide are hosting birthday parties at more than 400 children's welfare homes.
"Meanwhile, 25 welfare homes received donations of bedroom necessities, such as mattresses, pillows and new sheets, to replace their old items.
"To make it a success, RMHC is working with McDonald's and Harian Metro to cater to the less fortunate and treat them to delicious meals from McDonald's," he said.
The event also saw the presentation of a THKM care package of basic necessities to the Children's Protection Society of Penang secretary Magdalene Leong.
Harian Metro group editor Husain Jahit, who is also the chairman of THKM, said he was honoured to be able to collaborate with McDonald's and RMHC to make the programme a success.
"This time, we are again working with McDonald's and RMHC to cheer up the underprivileged children here and celebrate their birthdays.
"Usually, we provide bedroom equipment, such as beds and closets, but not this time as the residents here will move to other locations in the near future.
"So, we have handed over a cash contribution instead and this visit to Penang is the final series of visits with McDonald's and RMHC this year, but TKHM is continuing at other places with other sponsors," he said.
Leong said she was overjoyed to have McDonald's, RMHC and Harian Metro organise a programme that gave joy to the children under her care.
"This is the first programme held here after almost two years since the Covid-19 pandemic hit the country.
"Honestly, I am very excited, and the children were too, when we found out that our welfare home was selected for the programme.
"Thank you also for the donation because it eases our burden a little as this welfare home depends entirely on public charity to cover the expenses of 15 girls and 10 boys, who come from poor, troubled and disadvantaged families," she said.
McDonald's together with RMHC contributed RM250,000 to replace mattresses and pillows in 25 orphanages.
One of the children, G. Thisharenih, 14, said she was excited when caregivers at the home told her about the programme.
Tisharenih said, all the children were counting the days before the arrival of McDonald's, RMHC and Harian Metro representatives.
"Apart from attending Teaching and Learning at Home (PdPR) sessions online, all of us have only spent time with each other during the Movement Control Order.
"To get rid of boredom, we play with each other and even cook meals together.
"Thank you so much for sponsoring and giving us the opportunity to have fun by organising this programme.
"I'm very happy because I haven't enjoyed a McDonald's meal in a long time," she said.