Big help for the disabled

The Star, 29 june 2006

GIANT's charity drive in aid of the disabled community at the Independent Living and Training Centre raised RM75,659.17 in loose change.

For six months, Giant’s customers have been depositing their loose change into collection boxes provided at 62 Giant supermarkets and hypermarkets.

Lee (with tie) with some of the disabled folks from the Independent Living and Training Centre.

In a cheque presentation ceremony last Friday, GCH Retail Sdn Bhd media and special projects manager Ronan Lee presented the money and three hampers to Independent Living and Training Centre president Francis Siva.

The money will go towards the centre’s building and expansion fund.

“We are extremely grateful to Giant for caring enough to initiate a fundraising exercise, as it has been our dream for a long time to have our very own building. We are renting our current premises.

“We hope that with the move into a bigger building, we will be able to care for and train more members in our community,” said Siva.

Established in 1999, the Independent Living and Training Centre is managed by the disabled, for the disabled.

The centre’s objectives are to counsel and train their members by teaching them basic skills such as handicraft-making, driving, language and computer, with the goal of helping them find employment.

Lee said that as a responsible corporate citizen, Giant always strived to give something back to the community in which it was operating.

“We are very happy to be able to play a part in improving the quality of life for the disabled community at the centre,” he added.