MIRI: In a touching celebration of International Volunteers Day, the Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) Miri Branch, through its Blood Donation and Organ Pledging Sub-Committee, organised a special visit to the Sunflower Centre (SFC) here.
The event brought joy to 75 children with special needs, highlighting the power of community and compassion.
The visit was a collaborative effort involving 15 members of the Guang Ning Association Miri, led by president Siaw Mee Fua, and supported by sponsors Singapore Cake House and Hash House Harriers (HHH) Miri.
The Sunflower Centre, a cornerstone in Miri for over 42 years, is dedicated to helping individuals with special needs achieve their full potential through tailored therapy programmes.
It also provides support for affected families, raises public awareness about special needs, and creates education and employment opportunities for its students.
The centre currently serves 101 students with special needs, supervised by 17 staff.
Liza Chai, chairperson of the MRCS Sunflower Centre, expressed her gratitude for the ongoing support, emphasising the centre’s mission to nurture inclusivity and understanding within the community.
The event, held from 9am to 10am, was filled with cheerful activities and meaningful interactions, designed to bring smiles to the children’s faces.
Volunteers from the Guang Ning Association distributed refreshments and gifts, adding to the festivities.
As part of the visit, the guests were introduced to various facilities and programmes offered at the Sunflower Centre, including the Early Intervention Class, Special Education Programme, Pre-Vocational and Vocational Training, the Open Employment Training Unit (OETU), Occupational Therapy, Carpentry Workshop, Snoezelen Room and Thrift Shop.
Looking ahead, MRCS Miri Branch and Guang Ning Association are set to co-host a blood donation drive on Dec 15, aiming to inspire the community to embrace life-saving initiatives and deepen the culture of giving.
The event concluded with a group photograph and heartfelt expressions of thanks, leaving a lasting impact on both the volunteers and the children.
