Operationally ready national servicemen (NSmen) will be able to enjoy discounts on classes ranging from fitness skills and performing arts to cat massage and Middle Eastern percussion starting July 1.
The month-long promotion is part of efforts by the People's Association (PA) to recognise NSmen's contributions. July 1 is Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Day.
NSmen will get a 10 per cent discount when they sign up for courses at any of the 107 community centres (CCs) as well as water and adventure sport programmes at the PA's eight Water-Venture centres.
The same discount will also be given when they book facilities such as sports courts.
Those who sign up for courses but do not have a PA membership card - called the Passion Card - will be able to sign up for the card by paying a $2 fee, instead of the usual $12, for a membership period of five years.
Announcing the PA's promotions for NSmen at a grassroots event in Toa Payoh yesterday, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said: "It makes the NSmen feel that the little extra of what they are doing is being appreciated. That's very important. All of us know what our duty is, but when people tell us 'you are doing your duty or job well', you feel good and it motivates you to work better."
Dr Ng also said that from next month, more retailers and food outlets will join the "We Support You in NS" initiative - a programme offering NSmen discounts as a show of community support.
At least 50 hawker stalls from five groups, including the Singapore Toa Payoh Central Merchants' Association, Chinatown Complex Hawkers' Association, People's Park Traders' Association, Marine Parade Merchants' Association and Alexandra Village Business Association are slated to join the programme.
Besides NSmen, other Singaporeans and permanent residents who register for PA courses, but who are not holders of a Passion Card, can also sign up for membership by paying $2 all through next month, as part of the PA Day celebrations, which start on July 1.
Currently, Passion Card membership stands at around two million but PA chief executive director Ang Hak Seng said he hopes to add another 500,000 by the end of this year through the drive.
Separately, some 400 NSmen and their families also participated in the inaugural Safra Punggol Waterway Challenge yesterday.
The event earned a place in the Singapore Book Of Records as the "largest parent-and-child kayaking race".
