Oct 26, Miri – This year, the BB Love Box was held alongside with the BB Founder’s Day. The grand two-in-one event was graced by Miri’s Member of Parliament, YB Dr Michael Teo Yu Keng.
Witnessed by the public and invited sponsors, more than 300 Members of the Sarawak Northern Region (Bintulu, Miri and Limbang) Boys’ Brigade converged at Bintang Mega Mall, the main venue and BB Love Box Booth sponsor.
Traditionally, the Founder’s Day is commemorated in the month of October; the same month when Sir William Alexander Smith founded The Boys’ Brigade in 1883 in Glasgow, Scotland.
Sir William, a former Sunday School teacher and Officer of the 1st Lanark Rifle Volunteers, devised an option for the unruly boys in his class to join the Boys’ Brigade in church based on religion and discipline. Initially, 59 Boys joined out of curiosity but 35 stayed on. This humble beginning led to The Boys’ Brigade becoming the world’s first uniform youth organization in 60 countries with 750,000 Members today.
The ostentatious event started with the arrival of YB Dr Teo at 9:00 am. Welcoming the Guest-of-Honor was Hon. Capt. Lawrence Wong, the Chairman of the Sarawak Northern Region Boys’ Brigade, Capt. Sim Tze Sian, the BB Sarawak State Social Welfare and Community Chairman, Capt. Law Sie Siek, the Chief Coordinator of 2019 Miri BB Love Box, and Captains from various Companies
For the first time, the event was streamed live in Facebook (Sarawak Council, The Boys’ Brigade in Malaysia, page) by sponsor Hobiz Digital Media.
Following the inspection of the Guard-of-Honor, YB Dr Teo proceeded to Level 1, New Wing, to be greeted with a rousing welcome by a long row of BB Officers and Seniors. He was impressed when visiting the BB Love Box Booth.
A Colour March-In was performed by the various Companies from Northern Region after the guests were seated. The Opening Prayer was done by Rev. Simon Ting, the District Superintendent of Miri Methodist Churches. Lt. James Wong presented the Founder’ Day brief, followed by performances from 3rd Miri, 5th Miri and 7th Miri Members, delighting the crowd.
A community project
In his speech during the BB Love Box Opening Ceremony, Capt. Sim Sze Sian thanked all those involved in the organizing of the month-long project. The State BB Love Box Organizing Chairman also reiterated that the BB Love Box is a community project that coordinates the collection and distribution of gifts to people in need, regardless of race or religion, during the Christmas season. “Its beneficiaries are the needy people from rural areas identified by the Ministry of Welfare, and social organizations such as homes for the elderly, orphanages, and dialysis centers,” said Capt. Sim. “Our project covers Kuching, Sarikei, Sibu, Mukah, Song, Bintulu, Miri and Limbang. With your strong support, we hope to raise 20,000 gifts this year.”
YB Dr Teo, in his speech, praised the BB Love Box corporate sponsors for doing their social responsibility roles. “Community care, community love are two passions close to my heart,” said YB Dr Teo. “By your action, you are indirectly partnering the government to alleviate challenging situations faced by needy families by providing them with basic necessities. Today, I also would like to thank BB Love Box for the opportunity to donate 1,000 bags of 5-kg rice to needy families in our community. As your Member of Parliament, I will do my utmost best to assist in whatever ways I can.”
A surprising gesture
In a surprising gesture, the BB Members were elated when they were given a treat to attend the movie ‘Angry Birds 2’ at Golden Screen Cinema (GSC) after the event had ended. “I’m deeply touched by the generosity by GSC Malaysia. Because of their kind action, 206 BB Members from Bintulu, Miri and Limbang were able to attend the movie. You may be surprised to know not everyone has attended a movie in a nice and proper cinema like GSC due to family’s financial constraints. Therefore, I wish to extend my heartfelt thanks to GSC for their corporate social responsibilities (CSR),” commented Capt. Law Sie Sek, the Chief Coordinator of Miri BB Love Box.
When asked, Mr Mohammad Riham Akmai Bin Mempani, said that he had hoped to brighten the lives of the BB Members who are from underprivileged families. “By giving them an opportunity to watch a movie, they will experience joy. We are proud to be able to sponsor this event and hopefully by our action, the BB youth will learn and also help the needy community in their journey of life,” added the Manager of GSC Miri.
Other highlights included words of encouragement from Radio TEA Fm’s DJs Jacky and TP, free haircut for 60 children by Alan Salon, symbolic BB Love Box presentation to students of Tudan Learning Centre, souvenir-giving to sponsors, band presentation by Bintulu Brigade Bands. MacDonald’s generously served unlimited, free drinks to BB Members.
Rev Simon Ting closed the event with a Benediction.
The Boys’ Brigade of the Northern Region wishes to acknowledge and thank the following sponsors for making the 2019 BB Love Box possible: YB Dr Michael Teo Yu Keng, Dato’ Dr. Lau Siu Wai, Mr Tan Kim Hoon of Kereta Mewah Sdn Bhd, Shin Yang Group, MacDonald’s Miri, Mr Alan Chng Poh San of Alan Salon, Golden Screen Cinemas, Hobiz Digital Media, MF Signmaker Sdn Bhd, Zen Li, Amfield, Hing Soon Li, Da Sing Development, Ji Hui, and Green Summit Development Group of Companies.
By Lt James TC Wong, 4th Miri