THE Maqabah Charitable Society, one of Bahrain’s most respected organisations, formally thanked GDN Media for its help in promoting the ‘Make a Child Happy’ Ramadan toy appeal.
Maqabah Charity Society president Ali Alzaki handed over plaques of appreciation to managing editor Stanley Szecowka and chief reporter Mohammed Al A’ali at The Press in East Riffa.
“It was by all means a very successful campaign,” said Mr Alzaki. “Children across the country last Eid were given reasons to rejoice and that is thanks to our partnership with GDN Media.
“It was an honour to work with the publication and the plaques presented were just a small token of appreciation and gratitude from the 22,222 deserving children who have had smiles put on their faces.”
Mr Szecowka said although it was always heart-warming to be appreciated for community campaigning, the real champions were the army of readers and online followers who rallied to the cause.
“When we launched the first-ever GDN ‘Make a Child Happy’ Ramadan community campaign, we had no idea how many would answer the call,” he added. “But they did, by the truck load!
“On behalf of the GDN management and staff members, volunteers working for one of the kingdom’s most treasured charitable societies, and thousands of underprivileged, orphaned and sick children, we again salute YOU – our family of readers and online followers – for your warm and generous hearts.”
The donations came much to the delight of the Maqabah Charitable Society, which first launched the drive in 1998 and needed an extra boost after the Covid-19 pandemic put their efforts on ice for two years.
The aim of the campaign was to bring a smile to children who might otherwise miss out on gifts and family gatherings over Eid Al Fitr. The target of 20,000 toys was exceeded.
Mr Al A’ali joined the charity champions to hand-deliver donations to children battling cancer, severe illnesses or who were fighting other paediatric diseases at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC), the country’s main hospital.
“It was a day I will never forget,” he said. “It was a humbling experience and I was so happy that we were helping to make a difference.”
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