Love Is A Verb Monday, December 12, 2011

Last weekend, Michelle volunteered to help out with the Love Is A Verb charity booth in Sunway Pyramid shopping mall. It was an initiative by City Care group. During the 3 hours shift, they would approach the public to help fulfill the underpriviledged groups (5 orphanages, 1 old folks home and 1 Orang Asli group) christmas wishes or their basic needs.

The christmas wishes were sticked onto the Christmas trees ornaments. The public would then freely choose if they wish to fulfill any of the wishes. If you run out of idea, you may even pick the general items (cooking oil, rice and etc) to donate. The beautiful thing is you had to shop for items you wanted to donate and brought those items to the booth. No cash donation is accepted. To love, you need to take the actions.

This was Michelle first experience helping out on the charity booth in a shopping mall. I am proud of her. While waiting for her, I babysitted Myra in the mall, brought her to the toys shops and had her wandering in the mall. But we did spend some time around the booth to help out. Myra helped to distribute some flyers as well. I asked her to to pass the flyer to the aunty, she was very cooperative. But she was shy to step forward, she would just extend her hand out. I would then have to explain to the aunty what was going on.

My first similar experience was when I helped to raise fund for charity organization in shopping mall back in University. It was tough, I carried a metal container and approached the public for cash donation. After some time, my hands and legs grew weary. And the suspicious responses from the public were simply disappointing. But it was a great experience to me. 

It reminded me, don't simply walk off and turn away from other genuine volunteers who are trying to ask for help. Respect those who do not just mind their own business, but take upon underpriviledged group welfare as their business as well.

Why do people scare of sales? Probably the biggest fear is fear of rejection. We fear of people saying "no" to us. But "no" means nothing personal, as long as we get over this.

I was glad that Myra had her experience of people rejecting her flyers. She learn the life lesson from young. I was even glad that I was by her side. Telling her, "Myra, that's fine. They are not rejecting you but just your flyers. I am proud of what you are doing."

I hope I can get her involve more in the future charity projects.