Saturday November 14, 2009
Making no bones about charity
BY K.C
Those who missed out on the original concerts by the chart-bursting Boney M can now catch the 70s group’s concert featuring Liz Mitchell, the original lead singer at Sunway Lagoon on Nov 28.
Bringing in a concert by Boney M, a group from the funky 70s, requires more than loose change. In fact, it takes more than half a million ringgit. And in tough economic times at that. But Lejadi Group of Companies’ founder Tan Sri Lim Ewe Jin is unfazed.
“The breakeven cost is RM680,000 due to higher artistes’ fees, the 14-member entourage from London, living expenses and very demanding and costly technical riders,” he explains calmly.
But it’s all for a good cause, after all. All proceeds from the concert will go to the National Autism Society of Malaysia, Yayasan Kebajikan SSL Haemodialysis, Kechara Soup Kitchen Society and Malaysian Conservation Alliance for Tigers (MYCAT).
Tan Sri Lim Ewe Jin and son, Adrian, distributing pamphlets to inform the public about the Boney M showcase meant to raise money for charity Lim has been carrying out his brand of corporate social responsibility called “Sharin’ & Carin’ Thru Music” to raise money for NGOs and the deserving since 2005.
“Lejadi’s Corporate Social Responsibility project involves underwriting and organising two charity dinners each year showcasing world class entertainers and popular artistes to raise funds,” explains Lim. “To cut costs, each show is produced using Lejadi’s inhouse manpower and resources to maximise the proceeds to designated charities.”
Lejadi’s maiden drive was Motown Extravaganza 2005, which raised RM35,000 for five NGOs. Richard Street & The Temptations doubled the money to RM62,000 while Max Pellicano as Elvis to the Max netted RM102,000 in 2006.
A record RM216,000 was set in the boom year of 2007 with David Leon and Beatlemania.
Then one of last year’s two shows set a record. While 2008’s Elvis to the Max netted a respectable RM160,000, Eliza Furr singing the hits of Celine Dion broke the record at RM230,000 for RACTAR, Puspanita and Montfort Boys Town. The global crunch was, however, seriously felt in April when The Crystals raised a mere RM27,200.
“The amount was the lowest. We hope Boney M and Liz Mitchell will improve the takings,” Lim says optimistically. All in all, about RM830,000 has been raised so far, and he is looking to celebrating the first million for charity.
Such is Lim’s enthusiasm that he even goes down to the ground to promote his concerts.
If you see a tall, distinguished man in a bush jacket pulling back the rain wipers on your car’s windscreen in the near future, do not call the police. It is just Lim inserting a Boney M and Liz Mitchell flyer for your attention! He does this when he has tickets to sell.
“I carry a stack of flyers with me always and walk around car parks to distribute them and even pass them to interested strangers. There is nothing shameful or remotely embarrassing because this is all for charity. I am proud my staff are doing the same and selling tickets in their spare time.”
Boney M featuring Liz Mitchell is on 28 November 2009 at Grand Lagoon Ballroom, Sunway Lagoon Hotel, PJ. Chinese Set Menu plus show starts from RM380 to RM2,500 per diner. Non-diners with numbered theatre seats is RM248 and freestanding is RM168. For information: www.alstar.com.my, 016-382 0309 Adrian Lim or 03-23000 888 Joann Yeo.
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