The rays of the sun were barely up for one hour on the morning of November 28 when young women volunteers from SSA assembled at Tampines West Community Club for “Bag of Hope 3”, a SSA community project. First initiated in 2009, Bag of Hope aims to give hope and warmth to families in the community by collecting and then distributing food essentials to those who need it the most.This year, some 70 Young Women Division (YWD) members, including 23 new friends were involved in the collection, sorting and packing of foodstuff donations generously provided by members and friends of Regional Headquarters (RHQ) 6, some 200 of whom turned up throughout the day bringing bags of biscuits, noodles and canned food. In total, they donated an estimated $37,000 worth of food supplies, including 1,000 packs of 10kg rice and 300 trolleys.The bright smiles of the SSA YWD volunteers conveyed sincere appreciation on behalf of the beneficiaries–families who are receiving assistance from PERTAPIS Education and Welfare Centre, a non-profit that runs community and social services.
That afternoon, SSA General Director Mr Tay Eng Kiat made the formal presentation of collected donations to PERTAPIS Education and Welfare Centre President Hussani Abdullah and Executive Director Abdul Wahab Hussein. In his speech, Mr Hussani Abdullah expressed his gratitude to SSA and shared that the donations will go to some 450 families who are in need of assistance.
Giving the Gift of Life – SSA Holds Blood Donation Drive
On the same day in the adjacent building at SSA Headquarters, members and friends streamed in to donate blood as part of the blood donation drive held in partnership with the Singapore Red Cross.
In total, 76 big-hearted heroes and heroines came forth to donate their blood, which will go towards replenishing much needed blood supplies for those with medical emergencies such as accident victims; patients undergoing major surgeries, sufferers of cancers and blood disorders, and even newborns with medical conditions.
For the full report, please refer to SSA Times issue 524.
