Twestival Kuala Lumpur – part of the global Twestival movement – is returning after a hiatus in 2012 to mobilise social media users for social good.
Run entirely by volunteers, Twestival KL will this year benefit Persatuan Kanak-Kanak Istimewa Hulu Langat (PKKI), a local non-profit and non-governmental organisation, focused on helping children who are mentally and physically challenged due to hereditary, prenatal, or postnatal and other complications.
“PKKI Hulu Langat currently serves as a drop-in centre for over 90 youths with special needs and are raising funds to build a one-stop centre. The Twestival KL team hopes to contribute what we can so that the organization can continue doing its good work,” said co-organiser of Twestival KL, Niki Cheong. Co-founder of PKKI Shirley Tan has been working tirelessly for almost 20 years to give the youths a better quality of life.
“After meeting with Tan, the team is more than convinced that this year’s Twestival KL should help raise money and awareness for PKKI. She strongly believes that no parent nor child should lose hope of a better life,” co-organiser of Twestival KL, Suanie Tew said.
This year’s Twestival KL – five years on after the first event was held in Kuala Lumpur in 2009 – will be held on 7 December 2013 at The Bee, Publika, from 2pm to 6pm. A host of local celebrities will show their support by hosting and performing at the event including Hansen Lee, Elaine Daly, Elvira Arul, Carmen Soo, Vince Chong, Will Quah, Chelsia Ng, Liang and Ray Cheong.
Entry to the event is by a minimum donation of RM50. To book their places, members of the public can email twestival.kualalumpur@gmail.com or send a tweet to @TwestivalKL. PKKI will issue tax-exemption receipts for any donations above RM50.
“We’re hoping to have all the 200 spots available for the event taken up. Besides wanting to raise as much funds, MDeC (Multimedia Development Corporation) has pledged to match our fundraising amount up to RM10,000,” said Cheong.
The Twestival movement globally is unique in that 100% of all funds raised go to the charity of choice, which means that the event operates on a zero budget and relies on sponsorship partners to make it happen. Besides the entry donation, funds for Twestival KL are raised through the auctioning of sponsored items from brands including Malaysia Airlines, Nike Malaysia and The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur, among others.
Auctions items will be posted from Nov 29 for public bidding. The auctions will close on the day of Twestival (7 December) and attendees to the event will have one last chance to put in their final bids.
Other sponsors of Twestival KL include The Bee Publika, BlackBerry Malaysia, Starbucks Malaysia, Golden Screen Cinemas, Czip Lee, Yeo’s Malaysia, Text 100 Malaysia Global Communications, Rama V Fine Thai Cuisine, Fa-Ying by Rama V Restaurant, Sid’s Pubs Kuala Lumpur, Nandos Malaysia, Threes and Tees, Damansara Village Steamboat Restaurant and Visual Story.