Monday, November 2, 2009

Malaysia's Biggest Breakfast, in aid of NASAM



After leaving the Terry Fox Run event grounds, I decided to drop by Bangsar Village to participate in Malaysia's Biggest Breakfast, in aid of the National Stroke Association of Malaysia (NASAM).



The promotional banner hanging outside Bangsar Village.

The event was a collaborative effort by at least 23 food and beverage outlets in Bangsar Village and Bangsar Village II, in which customers could purchase a breakfast set from any of the participating outlets for a minimum of RM15.00.

The breakfast sets were made available between 10.00 and 11.30 a.m. on Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 1.



Good Day, Sunshine! A cheery orange-and-white banner festooned with balloons inform shoppers of the worthy cause and invite us in for a cup of joe!

The difference between this event and other fundraisers is that the breakfast sets are fully sponsored by the respective outlets and all proceeds collected from this event will go towards the National Stroke Association of Malaysia (NASAM). This means that the entire cost of the breakfast would be borne by the participating outlet, and all proceeds, and not merely the profits or a certain percentage of the proceeds, would go to the intended beneficiary.



I had the big breakfast set at Bisou Bake Shop, as I needed the energy for all the hours I would be putting in at the SPCA animal shelter later. The service was good, the staff were friendly and courteous, and the food was worth coming back for.

The National Stroke Association of Malaysia (NASAM) operates 8 centres in Petaling Jaya, Ampang, Penang, Perak, Melaka, Sabah, Johor and Kuantan. According to the official information on their website, NASAM centres function as places for stroke survivors to help themselves in their rehabilitation process, to interact with fellow survivors, and to get information and group support for themselves, as well as for their carers.

I was gratified to see entire families and groups of friends enjoying hearty breakfasts at the participating outlets in aid of this praiseworthy cause.

Although there will always be detractors who argue that it is better to just donate cash directly to the intended charitable organisation, I believe that fundraising events such as the Malaysian Biggest Breakfast are important for the role they play in raising awareness on the causes they champion, empowering local communities, providing opportunities for the corporate sector to contribute to charitable programmes and bringing families and friends closer together.

After all, merely putting small change into a collection box does not engender occasion for discussion and reflection the way a weekend breakfast gathering would.



I knew I would be feeling peckish at the SPCA later, therefore I bought cupcakes from Bisou to share with the staff and other volunteers. I've never met a confectionary I didn't like!

Very few conscientious individuals would decline to commit one morning a year to raising funds to aid those afflicted with, and affected by, stroke.

NASAM’s long-term mission is to open a centre in every state in Malaysia to provide rehabilitation programmes and facilities for stroke survivors.

For more information, kindly contact:
National Stroke Association of Malaysia (NASAM)
12 Jalan 7/2, 46050 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor.
Tel: 03 7956 4840 Fax: 03 7954 2275


4 comments:

Yvonne said...

You're a commendable citizen. Frm Terry Fox to NASAM's fund raising breakfast, if only more would follow yr footsteps.

And your observations on the benefits of a get together for Malaysia's Biggest Breakfast is so true.

Keep up the good work and pass the message around !

~CovertOperations78~ said...

Thank you so much, Yvonne! I really appreciate your visit! I just wish more people could AFFORD to attend such fundraisers.

Unknown said...

Yoyu are right. Awareness for causes is important for lack of it does not promote a cause. It is empowers people to act. NASAM does a good job in helping stroke victims.

~CovertOperations78~ said...

Thanks for stopping by, Keats! I was wondering whether or not to call you to ask you out to breakfast that morning, since you're not far from Bangsar, and then I thought... nah, I'm relatively sweaty and stinky. Maybe next time, then!