Grassroots with passion 13
IN FOCUS
As Singapore’s Golden Jubilee celebration draws to a close, TGC brings it to a new high in this season of Christmas giving. BACK TO SOCIETY 12WAYS TO GIVE
While Singapore is well reputed as a prosperous nation, the reality is the needy will always be with us. They are from all ages and walks of life, and to truly be an inclusive society, we mustn’t leave them behind – those who suffer from ill-health, those abandoned by their families, the unemployed, the ex-convicts. The list goes on. The Ministry of Social and Family Development, along with charities and other non-profit organisations, has devoted time and effort to offer assistance, be it through policies, welfare schemes or voluntary work. But is helping the less fortunate solely the job of the government and related organisations? Hardly. As individuals, there is much we can do to help. Here are 12 ways that we can give back, perhaps one for each day of Christmas. Where better to start than at The Grassroots’ Club? Join us and be involved in our many social programmes for the community. Volunteer time to serve at a favourite charity organisation. This can be a day, a weekend or once a month – however long you can commit to. And it can be in food distribution, giving tuition, or caregiving duties. Do a spring-clean of your home before the year ends to gather items that are in working condition for donation to the Salvation Army, be it clothes, books or furniture etc. Organise a fundraiser amongst family and friends – this could be a fun fair or a simple bake sale where volunteers bake cakes, cookies and the likes to be sold to raise funds. 1 2 3 4
Pledge to give up some treat for a month (like designer’s coffee, or chocolates, or clothes shopping) and donate money saved to your favourite charity.
5
Keep current on pressing needs through the social media. It only takes a click to share news and to help garner support for those in need. Post on your social media page that for this coming Christmas, instead of presents, encourage family and friends to consider giving you “cash in lieu” which you will donate to a favourite cause. If the company you work for does not yet have any Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes, volunteer to help it start and implement one. Take part in sports events organised in conjunction with charities or non-profit organisations. The money collected goes to a good cause, while you get to enjoy a workout. Participate in crowdfunding projects that aim to ease someone’s plight or offer an innovative solution to a need.
6
7
8
9
10
Give second chances to those in need – ex-convicts, or those who have been ill.
11
Educate and nurture the young about the need to be compassionate. In the long run, this future generation would form an empathetic society that is willing to go out of its way to care for others.
12
Made with FlippingBook HTML5