Gifts of food and other items bring festive cheer
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Above: (from left) Red Cross staff Kartini Saat and Mark Tan with Madam Siti Mariam Aman, Aszril Ang and Khairul Baktiar.
PHOTOS: ARIFFIN JAMAR, GIN TAY FOR THE STRAITS TIMES
The spirit of giving is alive and well despite the slowing economy.
At the Boys' Brigade (BB) headquarters yesterday, 30 boys, with some of their families, packed 200 food hampers in just over half an hour for Share-A-Gift 2016.
Now in its 29th year, the project collects and distributes donated items to the less privileged.
Among the volunteers was former BB member Chong Yew Lam, who was with his two sons, aged 13 and 16. The 45-year-old surgeon said: "It's quite admirable how the boys were able to organise themselves."
BB started collecting the items on Nov 25 for Share-A-Gift, which fulfils general and specific "wishes" in the form of food and other useful items. This year, 38,317 people will benefit, including 7,108 supported by government-funded Comcare Programmes who will get food hampers.
Beneficiary Peter Suppiah Lawrence, a 76-year-old retiree who received food items like rice and sardines, said: "It's so nice to have (volunteers) talking to you, helping you with so many things."
BB still needs 72 volunteer vehicles for the remaining hamper deliveries, which will last till Dec 31 (except between Dec 24 and 26). Volunteers must sign up in advance at www.bbshare.sg
Share-A-Gift 2016's chairman, Mr Lui Chong Chee, 56, said: "This year has been relatively smooth sailing. We have very good sponsors, like FairPrice, and our main sponsor Prudential.
"This programme is well loved by the public. People expect something to be happening in November and December with Boys' Brigade."
Over at the Singapore Red Cross (SRC), corporate donations between January and October fell by 35 per cent, compared with the same period last year.
But it had strong support from volunteers, who joined staff to deliver Christmas presents and festive boxes to 94 families supported by SRC's FoodAid programme.
FoodAid provides and delivers food items and vouchers to disadvantaged families every month.
Each festive box, worth $25, contains fresh food such as rice and vegetables from The Food Bank, and a healthy recipe.
Housewife Siti Mariam Aman, 42, who has four children and is expecting her fifth, said: "I feel happy because my children all can eat, and I can cook."
