Business corporations can play a pivotal role in our national effort to build a caring and giving community ("Firms 'can work together to give back'"; last Friday).

There has been a steady increase in the number of companies which give back to society. They do so through sponsorships, donations, environment-care programmes and by allowing their employees to do community work.

This is indeed a commendable corporate social responsibility, and firms would do well to heed Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong's exhortation that they help society on a regular basis.

The Project We Care is a notable initiative that enables companies and the People's Association (PA) to come together for a larger cause.

This joint effort to promote corporate volunteerism is unique in that the PA facilitates the pooling of resources and brings together participating companies in the Project We Care network to serve the community in different ways.

While it is appropriate for engineering firms to be involved in repair and maintenance works or by donating money to cover refurbishment costs, there are other areas in which Project We Care can extend its outreach assistance scheme.

Food and beverage companies can chip in and distribute free food to individuals at home who are unable to purchase or prepare their own meals.

Likewise, a cleaning firm can provide free services by helping to clear trash and tidy the homes of those who are old and live alone.

With more companies coming on board to do good together, we can collectively ensure that no Singaporean is left behind amid society's progress.

Jeffrey Law Lee Beng