Penang took it to the next level!!!

When Region 1 Leos (Penang) decided they wanted to go green, they really meant it!!! I was invited to attend the GO GREEN project by Region 1 Leo Clubs, spear-headed by RCC Ong Lai Peng & the Leo Club of Penang City (O). The project, a collaraborative effort with the Marine Studies Dept. of University of Science Malaysia (USM) was in line with an international effort - INTERNATIONAL COASTAL CLEAN UP!

I'm very proud of each and everyone of the Leos who took part in this as the little beach clean-up exercise will definitely go a long way! Lion Dignitaries such as District Governor for District 308B2, Choong Kwei Loi; Vice DGs Hudson & Shaun alongside many other Cabinet Officers & Lions members also joined in this noble cause. The main objective is to clean up 2 coast-lines of Penang where the entire delegate was divided into two teams.

Clean? Well... one glance you would think so!

Leos/Lions being briefed as they were separated into groups

One look you might think the beach is clean... but when we start to look for rubbish carefully, you will be amazed on what you might be able to find!

Some of the finds include an old dot-matrix printer, a rusty anchor, fishing nets, heaps of bottles, polystyrene bits and pieces and many more!

When the officials gave us the garbage bags we thought that.. "It's so clean, what is there to fill up in these bags?!!!!" And yaaa.. after only 1 hour, we had more than 20 bags filled up to the max and some chemical drums that can't fit into the bags!

DG Choong Kwei Loi being interviewed by Bernama TV

Thumbs up for the serving of lunch where paper containers and metal
spoons were used. Leos from Central & Perak region might learn from this perhaps. Yes, we know that paper containers are more expensive. But heyyy... think big and selfless... think of the environment!

DG Choong Kwei Loi and I @ the dock. We had to take the boat back and not track as DG had to rush off to Alor Star for another project and I had to catch a plane back to KL. It was indeed a great project for all Leos/Lions who came!

In October, another GO GREEN project will be carried out in Langkawi. Headed by Celebrity Lion Baki Zainal from 8TV, a program called MCG2 (Malaysian Celebrities Go Green) will be launched @ the Westin Langkawi! Parts of the funds raised will be channeled to assist the District 308B2 LEO Cabinet's Environmental Department!

In December, we will fund a special Eco-Camp in Penang where all Environmental Chairpersons and Presidents of the clubs will be invited to learn how important of keeping our mother earth clean and also what does it really mean when we say... GO GREEN.

Leos, all it takes is just one step at a time.. and in return, your effort of not throwing rubbish or limiting the usage of plastic/polystyrene will go a long way....

Regards

Lion Alan Thoo
District Chairperson for LEO Clubs
District 308B2

Relax and watch this....

A Big Thank You on behalf of Abg Shafie & family!!!

With just few days after my post... we have had RM600.00 collected!

RM300.00 Mrs Susan Lim, teacher of SK Seksyen 20 Shah Alam

RM300.00 IPDG Kenneth Saw, also CLD Board Chairperson

The District 308B2 LEO Cabinet (Protem Committee) has pledged to work something out... we'll celebrate a 1Malaysia concept Hari Raya either on the 3rd or 4th of October 2009!!!! 15-20pax LEOs/Lions will pay a visit to Langkawi.. Let's bring cheers and joy to the family!

ROAR! ROAR! ROAR!!!!

-DC Alan Thoo-

Let's help Abg Shafie & Family have a stress-free Raya Celebration this year.

Just over last weekend, I flew in Dina, Azizi & Baki Zainal to Langkawi as a part-sponsor for flights. Also with us were members of the media from karangkfra (you guys rock!!!) and Zeekaa from Fashion Online (Blogger yg glamer ya.. jgn main2).

Anywayz, it was a combined effort of the KL/ & local media + Giant-Ants Talent Hub... and of course the major driver is none other than Westin Langkawi!!!!

Shafie Mustaffa, 30+, lives with wife and 3 schooling kids aged 4, 11 & 12 in Langkawi, Kedah. He used to be a staff in Westin Langkawi @ the In-room service separtment. Early this year, Shafie constantly had fever and always felt tired and had body aches. It was then learned that he had Hepatitis B that attacked his liver with cancer @ stage 2!!! He has had half his liver and gald bladder cut off to sustain his life.

Currently, after his operations that cost a big bomb... he still has to go to Kedah Medical Centre once a month to get his medication which cost Abg Shafie about RM700+ a month. There was a night when Abg Shafie tried to lift a chair and it hurt him so much that the management has decided that he should stay home to rest and recover. Even so, Westin places high respect and care for its staff... they still pay for his medical needs.

Dina, Azizi & Baki with local/KL media + Westin staff visited Abg Shafie and his family at his half completed home in Langkawi.

On the very same night, a dinner was held @ Westin Langkawi where guests attended donated some small sum to Abg Shafie and family. Dina and Azizi sang some songs to entertain the guests with Baki hosting the event.

This entire outing in Langkawi stopped me and made me rewind to look at my life and what I have now vs. some unfortunate souls who aspire to have what others have but simply are slapped with bad luck and I have to say, it's probably just fate and life challenge that they have to face...

We have done a small part in highlighting Abg Shafie's plight to the public. His wife, who wants to work to suppor the family... is still waiting for our "highly efficient" social welfare department to get her a job or to support her... been waiting for 4 months now and still there's no news. I was told that the media has done quite a good job and they are bringing some of the department officers to visit Abg Shafie soon.

My main worries... are the welfare of the kids. Adik Ai Man, who is just 4, is so adorable and cute. He may not know what is happening here... but I know though.. It's not going to be easy for him as he gradually grows up and slowly understanding what's going on. I really hope that Ai Man could continue his studies... be a "someone"... and will be ableto contribute back to his family in years to come...

I would like to activate ALL LEOS... and also, call upon ALL Lions in Kedah & Penang....! We can either donate cash directly to Abg Shafie's account directly, or send goodies via Westin to the family.

How about this.. let's celebrate Hari Raya together. It doesn't mean that we have to be Muslim to celebrate Hari Raya. Whether we are Malays, Chinese or Indians. or any other races. THERE'S A MALAYSIAN that is desperately in need of our help and let's heed that call!!!! That's what I call ONE MALAYSIA!

My ears are open for any form of proposal! The one that I have is... let's all make a visit to Abg Shafie's house! I can't be flying everyone in... I would rather convert the costs into donations to Abg Shafie. So... let's go over and celebrate Raya with them perhaps? better not have too big a group.... Kedah & Penang Leos.. I leave this to you...

Regards

Lion Alan Thoo
District Chairperson for LEO Clubs
District308B2
Malaysia (Selangor - Kedah)

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