IPOH: A Sombre Christmas this year would have crushed Peter Siah Thean Siak's heart as it will be his last Christmas at the Salvation Army Ipoh Boys' Home.
The shelter has been Peter's home since he was 4 years old. As he turned 18 this year, he will bid goodbye to his small family here to pursue his studies in Kuala Lumpur.
Peter's wish for a memorable Christmas was almost denied since no corporate companies reached out to buy gifts for children at the shelter home this year.
Fortunately, a former Salvation Army Ipoh volunteer, Darren Lee Yeu Jyn, 26, roped in several Good Samaritans who sponsored gifts for Peter and his friends.
Through his Ribbon Gifting start-up, Darren and his team managed to get sponsors within four days to purchase Christmas presents for all 50 children living at the Salvation Army Ipoh's Children's Home and Boys' Home.
"During my school days, I used to be a volunteer for the Salvation Army Ipoh.
"However, I lost touch with the organisation when I was pursuing my degree in microbiology at the University of Melbourne.
"It was only this year that I reconnected with the home as I decided to throw a small party for the children on my birthday.
"A few weeks ago, the Boys' Home caretaker, Aunty Swee Choo, told me that the children might not be getting Christmas gifts since the Covid-19 pandemic had forced many companies to roll back on their charity funds.
"So, my start-up partners and I visited the children and asked them to write down their Christmas wishlist.
"We purchased the items accordingly, then looked for sponsors by advertising the items on our website. Each gift was represented as an ornament on a virtual Christmas tree at our website.
"A shopper could select and purchase any of the items and we would deliver the sponsored gift to the children.
"Surprisingly, all our gifts were sold out in just four days!" he told the New Straits Times.
Major Chelvee Thangavelu, who serves as The Salvation Army's regional social and community services officer, said the children were eager to usher this year's Christmas since the pandemic had dampened the celebrations last year.
"It was a quiet Christmas last year as we were unable to welcome visitor or host parties due to movement restrictions.
"For this year, we will be organising a sports and arts competition, as well as cooking classes to cheer them up.
"It is heartening to see the children making the best of their circumstances now."
Meanwhile, Salvation Army Ipoh Boys' Home caretaker Thian Swee Choo, 49, said the generosity of the Good Samaritans ensured a blessed Christmas for the children at the shelter home.
"It is remarkable that Darren still remembered us after eight years. I was overjoyed when he told me his company would get sponsors to buy gifts for our children.
"Simple gifts such as pillows and bolsters are enough to put a smile on the children's faces.
"The children from our home will do the same for other underprivileged kids one day. This circle of kindness will continue," she said.