KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 11 (Bernama) -- Yayasan PETRONAS in collaboration with PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad (PDB), has begun distributing festive and personal hygiene care packages to 400 beneficiaries from various charities and homes for Deepavali, as part of its Sentuhan Kasih Festive programme.

From 6 to 12 November 2020, food supplies, plush toys, tumblers, masks and hand sanitisers are being donated to beneficiaries in Kuala Lumpur and seven states  -- Johor, Kedah, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Perak and Selangor.  

Yayasan PETRONAS and PDB are working together with several state agencies to distribute these items worth RM88,000 to the beneficiaries, including orphans, underprivileged senior citizens as well as those who are vulnerable and at high risk during this COVID-19 pandemic.

Commenting on the effort, Yayasan PETRONAS Chief Executive Officer Nelly Francis Shariah said: “We may not be able to celebrate this festive season in large gatherings or with regular activities this year, but good flourishes when we choose to give during challenging times. Our team is committed to offering a ray of hope during this festive season, amidst the challenges brought about by the pandemic.”

PDB Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Azrul Osman Rani said: “It is a challenging time for the nation as a whole and I'm sure it will be even harder for the less fortunate. We hope that through this small gesture, we can help make a difference for them this Deepavali.

“We are glad to have the support from PETRONAS station dealers who helped facilitate the sourcing and distribution of the items, which made the entire process a seamless one for our recipients. This is indeed a time for all of us to come together to give back meaningfully to the community that sustains us,” he added.

In Klang Valley, Yayasan PETRONAS distributed 50 care packages each to Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat (JKM) Kuala Lumpur and Sepang respectively for their Deepavali celebration. Three hundred beneficiaries in Kedah, Penang, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor will also be receiving a care package each.

Director of JKM Wilayah Kuala Lumpur, Hezleen Hassan, said: “We look forward to having more reputable organisations contributing during the festive seasons. Even though this year is different, on behalf of our beneficiaries, we are grateful for them to be able to celebrate Deepavali with the generous gifts from Yayasan PETRONAS.”

Each year, in conjunction with major celebrations in Malaysia, Yayasan PETRONAS offers underserved communities items for their basic needs and well-being. In the past, activities including gotong-royong and motivational talks, would be carried out by volunteers, but with restrictions in place, the teams has decided to distribute the care packages to bring joy to the beneficiaries.  

This Deepavali, Yayasan PETRONAS brings a simple message: “Joy with positive impact.”

The Sentuhan Kasih programme is part of Yayasan PETRONAS’ community well-being and development focus area. The programme is also in line with the PETRONAS Sustainability Agenda and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

About Yayasan PETRONAS 

Yayasan PETRONAS is the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of PETRONAS. Its mission is to enrich lives for a sustainable future. Yayasan PETRONAS aims to deliver sustainable impact, improving the quality of life and socio-economic outcomes for communities across the nation through its focus areas in Education, Community Well-being and Development and the Environment.
 
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