(Kota Raya 1am Tuesday 30.8.11)

Its Aidilfitri. A time to reflect on the holy month of Ramadan and to look forward to celebrating.
Over the last few weeks I have already celebrated.
Celebrated the new friends we have found in Reach Out.
Celebrated the compassion and camaraderie in our sponsors and street volunteers.
Celebrate the willingness to share and care for those in need.
We do this all year but there is something special about the 'new' Reach Out that has appeared over the last few weeks.
Like tonight.
We were out with a great crew when I got a call from Khairul and the KL Swifters who told me that they had just decided on the spur of the moment to come out with us. We met up at Pudu Raya Bus Terminal.
Like Sue who was just passing Kota Raya when we had just finished the nights operation, and stopped to say hello and offer any help she could.
Like Amin who gave me an sms and said he was coming out and wanted to know where to meet.
Like Chin Wei who just felt the need to come out tonight.
Like Hee Ling who decided to help out tonight to allow our Muslim volunteers the night off to celebrate.
Like Danial who has just returned to Malaysia and came to the packing for the first time on Saturday and was on the streets tonight.
Like Shoubli last night who brought his wife and two daughters out to help.
In fact everybody who just comes, without fuss, quietly and with dignity to do what is needed.
We went down into those dark and forgotten areas the last couple of nights. Onto the riverbank, under the flyovers where the forgotten of KL sleep.
The crews worked away without any fuss, quietly and with dignity as they always do.
No hooha here. No media. No photos in the papers or on the TV. Just a support crew making things happen. The Run Leaders. The Committee. The Volunteers. The sponsors.
All doing their part without any fuss, quietly and with dignity.
Is it all worthwhile? You bet it is.
Even if just one of our street friends feels the dignity and sincerity of our volunteers then that will be passed on by them to others and the cycle of care and decency increases.
And that can only make things better. A better place for the future.
And Reach Out continues to do what we can without fuss. Quietly. With dignity.
The Frontline is stronger with all of you. And our street friends know.
They feel it. They know you care.
Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri. May all of our Reach Out Warriors be blessed with peace, light and love always.