TI Melaka, Malaysia (TIEM), employees got in the giving spirit recently for Muslim New Year by collecting nonperishable food items and donating RM5,600 ($1,800) to an effort to help the needy.

The donations went to the Melaka State Development Corporation which coordinated the drive within several local companies including TI, Honda, Infineon, Dominant and Tanashin.

The Muslim New Year, known as the Hari Raya Puasa festival, is one of the most widely celebrated events in Malaysia.

In addition to congregating in mosques to perform Hari Raya Puasa prayers, those marking the event visit the graves of departed family members and invite friends and family over for traditional Malay delicacies. The celebration, which coincides with the end of the fasting season of Ramadan, is also a time to reach out to others in need.

Melaka State officers and representatives from TI and the other sponsoring companies recently distributed the donations of food and money to low-income single mothers, the elderly and orphans in the local community. Those assisted received a donation of 100RM ($32) as well as groceries including rice, milk, sugar, flour, oil and festival cakes.

Puan Rosnah, TIEM Employee Relations manager, participated in the handover of TI's donation to the Melaka State Development Corporation and in the distribution of the donations.

"Every Ramadan month, I look forward to being able to be part of a team that helps the poor and needy," Roshah said. "All of us should be thankful for what we have. It always makes me sad seeing their condition.

"I am so glad that our employees are generous and donated a total amount of RM5600 for this special program. Now, with the little that we provide, these people can also celebrate the Hari Raya. Thanks to all TIEM employees for their generosity and for making the new year brighter for people in need."