Spreading the Festive Cheer

24 Dec 2021

This festive season, we shared our cheer and warmth with the less fortunate through the annual Boys’ Brigade Share-a-Gift programme for the twelfth year running!

Working together, our staff fulfilled close to 300 wishes for beneficiaries from various voluntary welfare organisations, and contributed gifts ranging from basic necessities, clothes, school supplies, foodstuff, headphones, to toys.

spreading-the-festive-cheer_01 spreading-the-festive-cheer_02 spreading-the-festive-cheer_03
Executive (Corporate Services) Karen Chua (right) delivered the fulfilled wishes on behalf of the organisation to a representative from the Boys’ Brigade.

For Senior Procurement Manager (Procurement) Catherine Teo, having the ability to share and help others is a blessing. It is this way of thinking that has pushed her to volunteer frequently – like helping out at the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery – and joining the Boys’ Brigade Share-a-Gift programme repeatedly. She said: “I have been participating in this programme for the past 12 years because I want to share what I have with the less fortunate.”

Sharing those sentiments, Senior Executive (Corporate Services) Kris Anna Mathana is also a regular participant of the programme. She added: “We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.”

Catherine Teo and Kris Anna
Catherine at the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery (left) and Kris with the fulfilled wishes!

For Engineer (Cybersecurity) Ryan Sim, it was thrilling to share the festive spirit. The first-time participant said: “It’s truly a blessing to be able to give. I urge everyone to give where and when you can!”

Principal Engineer (Enterprise IT) Ong Chee Keong felt that the programme hit particularly close to home. He said: “I was delighted upon seeing such an event and did not hesitate to participate. As a parent of a child with special needs, I feel that everyone, regardless of age or any special conditions they have, would be very delighted to receive a gift that they long for.”

Ryan Sim and Chee Keong
Ryan (left) and Chee Keong

Staff also made the effort to select useful gifts. Senior Project Assistant Executive (Cybersecurity) Shen LingLing, who handpicked her gifts, explained: “I got some children proper backpacks to help them distribute the weight they carry on their bodies evenly so that it doesn’t hinder their growth. It feels good to be able to contribute and give, so I encourage everyone to do it too!” she said.

For others like Secretary (Naval Systems) Christine Chong, who prepared the gifts with her family, the Boys’ Brigade Share-a-Gift programme was an opportunity to teach their children the value of giving. She said: “It is a great way to show the young ones the joy of giving and helping others in need, especially during the festive season.”

BACK
TO TOP