Charity bazaar
Inner Wheel Club of Alor Setar
16 December 2021
It was a fortunate stroke of serendipity that led to the Inner Wheel Club of Alor Setar (IWC AS) to organise a bazaar to give away pre-loved items to the needy and poor. Member Padmini attended a prayer session held by the Sachitananda Ashram at the Kelubi Hall in Jitra and she realised that the Hall was very well equipped to hold a charity bazaar. Pleasantries were exchanged with the owner of the Hall, which then led to discussions on what IWC AS does and the idea to hold the bazaar. The manager, Julius Tan, was totally receptive and several discussions which ensued over the next few days saw the logistics of the bazaar taking shape.
A flyer requesting for pre-loved items was sent to friends, who in turn, sent to their friends. Over the next few days, all kinds of items started to accumulate at the collection point, which included not only pre-loved items, but even brand new clothing with the price tag intact. A few days were spent at the Hall by members sorting, categorising and labelling the items, like electrical equipment, kitchen utensils, bedding, curtains, towels, toys, stationery, books, bags, clothes and shoes. On the eve of the event, i.e., on 15 December 2021, the Hall looked all spruced up, not unlike a huge Mall, waiting to receive customers.
The response to the Bazaar on 16 December was deeply satisfying. One never knows how valued pre-loved items are for those who really need them. As the items slowly disappeared from the tables, a gamut of emotions ran through the hearts and minds of IWC AS members. Customers came up to the members to express their gratitude at having been able to pick up things they needed.
IWC AS extends its deepest appreciation to the team at the Ashram who provided the logistics, the publicity & promotion and the manpower to hold the Bazaar. Julius also made sure of a constant supply of food and drinks so that no one would go home hungry after carefully going through all the items on display and taking what they liked.
Yes, giving certainly culminates in a deep sense of satisfaction. As Winston Churchill said, “WE MAKE A LIVING BY WHAT WE GET, BUT WE MAKE A LIFE BY WHAT WE GIVE”.
IWC AS takes this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and may this event be the harbinger to a 2022 year that is full of joy, peace, good health and hope.
~ Shantha Pillai