By MELLY LING
alltherage@thestar.com.my

LAST Saturday, iM4U’s Reach Out Volunteer Celebration brought together about 5000 participants at Taylor’s University Lakeside Campus to celebrate youth volunteerism.

Organised to commemorate the Year of Volunteerism 2013, the convention featured local and international icons sharing their experiences in volunteerism, including their innovative efforts to draw attention and garner support for their causes.

YouTube celebrity Chester See and Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd. Najib casually fist greets in smiles to show the youth spirit.

The convention was officiated by Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak who later launched iM4U’s own radio station, iM4U 107.9.

Najib wants young people to engage in volunteer work and hopes that youths will come together to help not only each other but also the community and to incorporate the spirit of volunteerism in them.

“The key thing is you do not expect anything in return. The only thing that you will get is the sense of self-accomplishment and self-satisfaction that you have contributed something,” said Najib.

1Malaysia For Youth (iM4U) is a common platform for Malaysian youth to carry out voluneer activities that benefit communities in need and social groups.

The platform provides financial support for youth volunteerism through Dana Sukarelawan 1 Malaysia (DRe1M), which has an initial fund of RM130mil funding from the government.

Young Malaysians who signed up for an opportunity to meet their icons at the convention and celebration were inspired by their stories. iM4U also took the opportunity to highlight how volunteer activities work in a variety of exciting platforms and can be initiated by any individual.

Air Asia Group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes who was among top presenters that day, gave an insipring yet entertaining speech right after Prime Minister’s talk.

All eyes set on Dato’ Sri Tony Fernandes as he shares an inspiring story about his life.

Sharing his dreams and challenges, he also emphasised on dreaming the impossible.

“You can dream whatever you want to dream, nobody can stop you and be the best in whatever you do.“

Fernandes caught the audience off guard when he asked the crowd to show him something blue which got six people rushing on stage.

One lucky guy who happens to be a Queen’s Park Rangers (QPR) team fan and was wearing a QPR wristband that day won an all-expense paid trip to watch the game in London with Tony Fernandes.

He later surprised the crowd with a Harlem Shake performance along with Jason Lo who was clad in a Superman’s costume.

Pushpa Basnet tells youth to engage in volunteering social works with passion.

Other presenters included Malaysian icons like former Miss Malaysia Universe Deborah Henry, Datuk Ruby Khong from Kechara Soup Kitchen, social activist Michael Teoh, Astro Awani’s Anchorman Ben Ibrahim, TV Personality Henry Golding and Hitz.fm Dee Jay Jin Lim better known as Jinnyboy.

All the speakers join Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd. Najib on stage for a photo session at Reach Out iM4U Convention.

International speakers also shared their experiences include Pushpa Basnet who won the 2012 CNN Hero of the Year, Asia Pacific Managing Director of Change.Org Nick Allardice and illusionist Scott Hammell with Youtube sensations Chester See, David Choi and Jason Chen.

Loud cheers from the crowd as Taboo from Black Eyed Peas hits the stage.

Moots interacting with the crowd as his band Pop Shuvit rocks the stage!

The celebration continued at night with a concert performed by Mizz Nina, Hujan, Narmi, K-Town Clan, Seven Collar TShirt, Tres Empre, Project E.A.R, Jakeman & Skeletor and billboard chart toppers Estelle who is famous for her hit song American Boy and Taboo of Black Eyed Peas among others.

Showstopper: Estelle charms the crowd with her enchanting vocals as she belts out ‘American Boy’ hit.

SevenCollar T-Shirt performs in full energy for the audience.

The crowd were also treated to special offers, games and samplings at the exhibition booths run by iM4U, Trueventus, Tune Talk, Berjaya, RedBull, Voxtribe, Morning Rocket, PLUSMiles, Snickers and demonstrations by the Yayasan Inovasi Malaysia.

***Photos by iM4U