Groupon Malaysia users donate nearly US$46,000 to charity

• 14,098 people contributed a total of over US$45,959 to the ‘Be The Difference’ campaign
• The 17 charity organizations were chosen by the 17 finalists of the Miss Universe Malaysia pageant

AN online collaboration between Groupon Malaysia, Miss Universe Malaysia Organisation and Grim Film to create greater awareness and support for 17 Malaysian charity organizations saw 14,098 people contributing a total of over RM140,980 (US$45,959) to the ‘Be The Difference’ campaign.
 
“From the tremendous support which we’ve seen from Malaysians, we are pleased to say that the ‘Be The Difference’ campaign has been an overwhelming success both in raising funds and awareness for those in need and as a demonstration how social e-commerce has empowered Malaysians to take meaningful action,” said Joel Neoh (pic, left), vice president and general manager of Groupon South-East Asia and India.
 
Through a special microsite hosted by Groupon, Malaysians had over 300 hours to contribute to 17 separate causes which were chosen by the 17 finalists of Miss Universe Malaysia 2013 pageant.
 
The charity organizations include Shelter Home for Children, HOPE Worldwide, Rumah HOPE, SPCA Selangor, KIWANIS Job Training Centre, Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better, Rumah Kasih Nurul Hasanah, Dyslexia Malaysia, the House of Joy, the Good Samaritan House, the Shepherd’s Centre Foundation, the Saint Barnabas Home, the Precious Children Home, SPCA Sabah, SPCA Sarawak, Malaysian Nature Society and Yayasan Chow Kit.
 
According to Katy Lee, executive director of HOPE Worldwide, the ‘Be The Difference’ campaign by Groupon has helped organizations such as hers to reach out to far larger audiences than previously possible, which is largely due to its social engagement capabilities.
 
“… Groupon has greatly assisted in bridging the gap between charitable organization and the members of the public, and providing actionable means for them to show their support,” she said at a special cheque presentation ceremony.
 
Sharon Woo, marketing and partnership manager for the Malaysian Nature Society, added that “We believe that the advent of social media has given birth to a new era of civic responsibility and look forward to similar engagements in the years to come.”
 
“Miss Universe Malaysia Organisation is proud to once again be doing what we can to raise awareness and support for the underprivileged throughout Malaysia,” said Nadine Ann Thomas (pic above, right), Miss Universe Malaysia 2010 and representative for Miss Universe Malaysia.
 
“Through this partnership with Groupon we’ve been able to encourage even more Malaysians to be the difference in improving the lives of others and we hope that the awareness and goodwill which has resulted from this campaign will continue even after its conclusion,” she added.
 
In an effort to further boost engagement with Malaysian netizens, the popular local indie production team known as Grim Film was also engaged to further spread the importance of taking proactive action through a special “Be The Difference” video.
 
“We’re a generation that lives in an era of social connectivity which is an exciting, entertaining but also empowering phenomenon,” said Grim Film founder Jared Lee.
 
“As film-makers who are passionate and believe in the power of film we grabbed hold of the chance to share our contribution to the ‘Be The Difference’ campaign,” he added.
 
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