120,000 SG50 funpacks yet to be collected

Many do not know where to go or that collection date has been extended

The standard items in the SG50 funpack. The items are instant cereal, detergent, miniature flag, newater, two nostalgic games, replica of Proclamation of Singapore, NDP poster of programmes during Jubilee weekend, Singa Lion figurine, two nostalgic snacks and LED balloom maraca. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN

At the Geylang Serai Community Club on Friday afternoon, Ms Munirah Ahmad finally got her hands on the SG50 funpack she had been waiting for.

The 43-year-old kindergarten principal missed out on redeeming the commemorative bag earlier this month as she was busy and feared she had missed out altogether.

"When I found out from friends that the redemption was still ongoing, I went to the community club (CC) straight away," she said. "This is the first time funpacks are given to everyone, even to those who did not attend the National Day Parade, so it is special. We are celebrating SG50 this year and this funpack is a meaningful keepsake."

Singapore's Golden Jubilee weekend may be over but hundreds of people are still streaming into CCs daily to collect their funpacks.

Some 120,000 SG50 funpacks, or about 10 per cent of the 1.2 million distributed to every Singaporean and permanent resident household, remain uncollected, according to the People's Association (PA). The tote bags were specially prepared to commemorate Singapore's 50th year of independence.

Like Ms Munirah, many Singaporeans that The Sunday Times spoke to said they did not know where to collect their funpacks or that the collection date had been extended till the end of the month.

Website editor Geraldine Ling, 35, is eager to get it for its commemorative and nostalgic items.

"I kept the collection postcard but, unfortunately, my husband threw away the letter containing the collection details. I tried searching online for information, but could not find any redemption instructions," Ms Ling said.

"I'm very proud of Singapore and I think the SG50 funpacks are well designed. With this year being Singapore's 50th birthday, I'd like to keep a piece of nostalgia."

Mr Andrew Jacob, 29, was also not aware that the collection date had been extended and has still to collect the goodie bag.

"I had forgotten about the collection," said the bank employee. "I've been busy at work and collecting the funpack is not a priority for me right now."

Others said that they delayed collecting theirs because they were unsure if they wanted the items, which include a Singa Lion figurine as well as snacks and games that were popular during Singapore's early years.

Artist and teacher Jessie Lim, 51, said: "I heard from my sister that there are some meaningful commemorative items in the funpack and I plan to collect mine soon."

Eligible households still have time till Aug 31 to collect their funpacks. Redemption details can be found in the postcard and letter mailed to them.

Those who have misplaced the documents can redeem the bags using their NRIC at the CC serving their constituency.

Any funpack that is uncollected after August will be given out to homes and orphanages as part of the PA's community outreach programmes. PA said the Moral Welfare Home and Boys' Town are among the potential beneficiaries.

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on August 16, 2015, with the headline 120,000 SG50 funpacks yet to be collected. Subscribe