IT IS amazing how ice cream can bring a smile to a child’s face. That was the idea behind the Ice-cream 4 U Charity Concert, which will take place at 8.30pm tomorrow at the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Stadium in Cheras.
All proceeds will be donated to Pusat Penjagaan Kanak-kanak Cacat Taman Megah (PPKKCTM).
The charity concert was the brainchild of Malaysian singer-songwriter Yi Jet Qi, who finally had the chance to realise a dream he has had since he was 18 — to hand out ice cream to kids.
“When I was about 12 years old, my parents sent me and my siblings to an orphanage to experience a different lifestyle, one without parents.
“I grew up with the orphans and discovered that they didn’t like going to school, books or even candies — as many people donated candies to them, and they had so much that they could even open a candy store,” he said in jest.
“However, they loved ice cream; it’s a luxury to them.
Giving back to society: Yi came up with the idea of the `Ice-cream 4 U Charity Concert’, through which he hopes to raise at least RM300,000 for Pusat Penjagaan Kanak-kanak Cacat Taman Megah. “I feel like I’ve taken so much from Malaysia and this is a chance for me to give back to society,” he said.
According to Yi, the concert is targeted to raise at least RM300,000, which will be channelled to the trust fund for the construction of a four-storey standalone building to house the 138 children of PPKKCTM.
“They are currently scattered in several houses in the same neighbourhood and have received complaints from neighbours. It would be good for them to be housed in a single building, which could be a one-stop centre that includes therapy facilities and possibly a library.
“They have found a suitable piece of land in PJ to build the new premises but they lack the funds, amounting to RM5.5mil in total,” he said.
He has roped in two of his friends, actress Lee Sinje and songstress Fish Leong, both award-winning Malaysian artistes, to jointly organise the charity concert.
“It was Sinje, who had earlier adopted three children from the home, who told me of the home’s plight. I’ve been there a few times and seeing the children lying on the floor makes us realise how fortunate we are.
“Sinje helped to get sponsors for the concert while Fish designed the T-shirts that will be sold at the concert.”
The line-up of performers include the three co-organisers, local singers A-Niu, Nicholas Teo, Kit Teo, Manhand, Dave and Kah Jun, and guest performers Valen Hsu and Sandy Lam.
“After 11 years in this industry, I’ve met many good singers and friends along the way. When I asked if they would take part in the concert, they just said ‘yes’ without any hesitation, even though I told them there would be no token at all.
“They will have to pay for their own air fare, make-up artist, hairstylist and any other costs they incur. We are trying to minimise our costs so that there would be more money for the cause,” he said.
The concert’s music director, Taiwan-based Malaysian songwriter-composer Chet Ng, found it a challenge to coordinate the act as some of the singers were abroad.
Yi expressed his gratitude to the sponsors for their willingness to help and their sincerity.
“When we approached Sports Toto Malaysia, they were more than willing to help.
“And, on Saturday, Nestle will be sending its ice-cream vans to the home to distribute ice cream to the kids,” he said.
“I hope this will be a yearly affair; we might do it in different formats, an unplugged version perhaps,” he said.
According to Yi, ticket sales have been encouraging.
Tickets are priced at RM48, RM98 (free seating), RM148, RM198 (numbered seating), RM288 (VIP), RM500 (VVIP).
For details, call the ticketing hotline at 03-7711 5000 or info hotline at 03-2092 1199 or visit www.axcess.com.my or www.ppkkctm.org.
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