Ms Sophia Yeow, a regional marketer from the Healthcare IT industry, and her family and friends were disappointed to learn that they will miss Project Happy Feet Slipper Race due to prior commitments. With the cause of Project Happy Feet resonating in her heart, she promptly rallied their support, and on the occasion of her son’s birthday, got everyone to pool together more than SGD1,000 so beneficiaries of Metta School could take their place in the Project Happy Feet Slipper Race and be part of the action.
Project Happy Feet speaks to Sophia to learn what inspired her to support the cause.
Sophia with her son Nigel, and his friends at Nigel’s 8th birthday party where they and their parents pooled together funds to support Project Happy Feet Slipper Race. Their message: “We wish for all underprivileged children to be loved, and not be forgotten and we hope more donors will come forth with an open heart to support Project Happy Feet’s work in delivering education and training to them so that they can, in return make a difference in society in the future!”
PHF: What prompted you to raise funds for Project Happy Feet? What was your inspiration?
Sophia: When I heard about Project Happy Feet some years ago, I was already inspired by the young team at Caelan & Sage who pitched in their time, talent and energy to make a difference to the lives of underprivileged children in Cambodia and Vietnam. I didn’t know how to support their effort then. But when I heard about the Slipper Race this year, I was excited that I could rally my friends and family to join in. However, I was disappointed to discover later that we would have to miss the event due to prior commitments. Still, I wanted to do something. We had to do something. So I thought about fund-raising among my friends and family to support the cause.
PHF: How did you get around to raising the money?
Sophia: It was my son Nigel’s 8th birthday in September and like before, we threw a little party for him. I spoke with him about using his birthday party to reach out to his friends, their families and my friends to fund-raise for Project Happy Feet Slipper Race. He agreed immediately and so we reached out to everyone that day during the party. I also sent emails, made phone calls and spoke to friends and family when we met.
Everyone I spoke to was very forthcoming. Some who could make the event pledged that they would sign up separately. Others decided to make direct donations. Those who could not make the race, made their contributions through me. I’m glad to learn that with the funds we raised, children from Metta School could take our place at Project Happy Feet Slipper Race, and be part of the fun. It was just so heartwarming that my friends and family stepped forward to do what they could.
PHF: Was it easy or hard work in getting the donation? Did your donors come forth or did you have to do a lot of persuasion?
Sophia: It wasn’t difficult to explain the cause of Project Happy Feet and the event. I explained why I supported this cause and what the funds could do for underprivileged children and they just stepped in with their contributions. I’m glad that most I spoke with have also committed to putting aside time and energy to do more for the next race and I will also be reaching out to others in a much bigger way.
PHF: What is your hope for the underprivileged children Project Happy Feet is supporting through its fund-raising efforts?
Sophia: I hope that the underprivileged children will have food on their tables, clothes to wear and an education so that they can support themselves and lead a meaningful life, and that when they succeed, they would give back to society the way they have benefited themselves.
PHF: What do you hope to say to potential donors out there?
Sophia: Charity begins at home. When you give, you will receive more in blessings. A little goes a long way!
Project Happy Feet would like to thank the parents of the following children for supporting the cause: Nicole, Nigel, Royston, Ryan, Isabel, Elizabeth, Angela, Joel, Edlyn, Xavier, Chole, Matthew, Luke, Sarah, Ian, Evan, Brenden, Ryan, Kaela, Joash, Glenda, Zen, Bryon, Ilana, Matthias, Damien and Dylan.
