In a world where kindness often goes unnoticed, it is truly inspiring to witness the acts of selfless individuals and groups dedicated to making a lasting impact on their communities, regardless of race, background or social standing, for the betterment of society.

The 10th edition of Star Golden Hearts Award (SGHA) by The Star reaffirms that there is no shortage of do-gooders in Malaysia, shining a spotlight on the remarkable efforts of everyday heroes who work tirelessly to create positive social change and inspire others through their commitment to the greater good with an unwavering spirit of unity.

“In conjunction with our 10th anniversary, we have created a theme that represents the spirit of working together to build a more inclusive, equitable and respectful society.

“Themed ‘The Power of One, The Strength of Many’, SGHA proudly marks its 100th winner milestone in recognition of a decade of championing Malaysia’s selfless unsung heroes.

“This underscores the award’s devotion to acknowledging and rewarding those who make a lasting positive change,” said Star Media Group (SMG) group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt.

Since making its debut in 2015, SGHA has been a beacon of recognition and appreciation for those whose extraordinary efforts often go unnoticed.

It has evolved into an award programme that recognises good deeds, be they one-off or long-term and sustainable initiatives for the betterment of society.

Similar to previous years, a panel of prominent judges with various backgrounds and experiences in the social impact scene will choose 10 deserving winners.

Collectively receiving a substantial cash award pool of RM150,000, each winner will receive a cash prize of RM15,000, along with media exposure and coverage across SMG’s various platforms for enhanced visibility and branding of their social initiatives.

Winners will get to join the exclusive SGHA Winners Network, providing them with vast opportunities for networking and collaboration with past changemakers.

Members of the public are encouraged to nominate their everyday heroes to extend gratitude for their remarkable contributions.

According to SMG chief content officer Datin Paduka Esther Ng, SGHA’s drive to present this award stems from a deep belief in the power of community and the impact that one individual can have on the lives of many.

“As Malaysia’s leading English-medium newspaper, our platforms provide unparalleled visibility, allowing these inspiring heroes to reach a broader audience through heightened publicity, enhanced brand image, and credibility for both winners and nominees.

“This recognition not only validates their efforts but also amplifies their impact, encouraging more people to support their causes and join their mission for social change,” she said.

The award categories are aligned with five sustainability-themed pillars – Community Empowerment, Education, Environment and Wildlife, Social Welfare and Disaster and Crisis Relief.

Chan further highlighted that these categories resonated well with SMG’s sustainability ethos, emphasising the organisation’s stance on making a difference by empowering communities through meaningful actions to help them realise their full potential.

“Our mission as one of the leading and most innovative media companies is to keep the public informed and inspired through our innovative content and services.

“Each pillar inspires others to pursue goals for the collective benefit, where individuals, non-governmental organisations, social enterprises and societies alike can be nominated for their profound work on their respective social causes,” he said.

Since SGHA was first established, it has gone on to recognise and honour 90 selfless unsung heroes.

“By showcasing the remarkable achievements of our unsung heroes, we hope to contribute back to the communities around us while motivating others to step forward to drive change.

“This award is different from many others as it also encourages a culture of empathy and proactive engagement, reminding us that every individual has the potential to drive positive change and make a difference in society,” Chan added.

The public can nominate individuals and organisations that meet the selection criteria as outlined on www.sgha.com.my from now until July 31.

SGHA is an annual award by The Star that recognises selfless Malaysian unsung heroes who make a positive impact on society and promote unity among the people.

It is under the care of Star Foundation, the charitable arm of SMG.

For more information on SGHA, visit the website at https://www.sgha.com.my/.