...Hooked On Helping Others - 4 Dec 10

National Volunteerism, Philanthropy Awards For Six - 4 Dec 10

Through SG Cares, we now have a volunteer from Britain helping with the English curriculum at our Rotary Family Service Centre, corporate volunteers conducting monthly Bingo sessions, and volunteers for the Family Life Education talks we conduct. Just want to say a huge thank you! - Alice from Rotary Family Service Centre

The ISCOS Healthy Lifestyle Family Event 2011 garnered 272 participants to make 8160 bowls of rice for needy families of South East CDC. The SG Cares volunteers helped as Mobile Safety Officer, Game Masters, Trail Challenge Facilitators, Walking Motivators, and many more. It was truly enjoyable for all. - Effy from Industrial & Services Co-operative Society Ltd

It's a deep sense of joy and fulfillment with each volunteering experience. I am proud to be supporting a great cause! - Yizhen

I am glad that the activity and human-touch helped fill the lives of the elderly, who often tend to be lonelier. I would definitely extend a helping hand and a listening ear again. - Elysia

Though some patients at the Bright Vision Hospital were not eager to participate in the karaoke session, I’m glad that they smiled and responded to us.  The staff's care, attention and enthusiasm for the patients impressed me and made me feel that volunteers would definitely be able to blend in and make a difference to the patients' lives. - Audrey Lim

I was concerned because it's my first time volunteering without a close friend. Thankfully, I was warmly welcomed by other volunteers and everyone took the initiative to talk to one another, making me feel at ease. I learned how to recycle and am keen to apply the recycling statistics I acquired at the activity in my school projects. - Jonathan

Just living is not enough, we should offer help to those in need. If mankind has this kind of attitude, this world would be a much better place to live. - Myat

I believe the reason why we are driven to continue serving and helping others is because we find joy and motivation doing them. - Eugene

This volunteering experience I had has been the most heartwarming. All I did was just to lend a listening ear to only 2 patients and only for a short while, yet, I felt great joy after the session. They so willingly shared with us their stories and life experiences. The smiles they gave when we said good-bye still linger on my mind. I hope the little time I had with them brightened their day too. - Meow Lin

The Toss the Ball Activity at St. Luke's was a meaningful experience. The elderly were warm, cheerful and deeply appreciative that we were willing to spend time with them. There was a strong sense of community as all the elderly joined together to sing songs, pass the ball around and share a birthday cake. During tea-time, I listened to the life story of a 95-year lady, who talked non-stop about her children and grandchildren. The experience was a reminder to remember the family and community that is around us, and to stop to help those who need our help. A few hours is a good start to making a difference in others lives. - Jeff

I was initially apprehensive that the event participants might not be very enthusiastic to participate. However, I was amazed by the level of engagement and enthusiasm that they showed. When talking and spending time with them, it was not apparent they were patients undergoing therapy. It was heartwarming to see their competitiveness, joy and openness with which they welcomed us as part of their group. Even though it was a short event, I would certainly like to go back again and spend time with them. The lesson for me was that we must learn to ignore each other's shortcomings and cherish more the positive attributes that each one of us has. - Raesh

I found the activity (Activities With Elderly Residents @ Singapore Christian Home for the Aged) enjoyable but also challenging. I had thought that it would be easy to interact with the elderly residents at the Home as I had looked after my own elderly mum for nearly 6 years. The challenging part was getting them interested in participating in the activities we planned for them. Some were slow to respond to the drawing/colouring activity because they had poor eyesight. Many of them needed coaxing so volunteers must have lots of patience. I'm already preparing for future activities with the aged by learning origami and reading up on games that the elderly can play and enjoy. - Jillian

It was really my pleasure to be given the chance to work with other volunteers. With regards to the task (Maintenance at ACRES), it was considerably exhausting but I guess it's a mere representation of what genuine service means. The sacrificial purpose of it is undeniably the essence of the volunteer activity in itself. Amidst the scorching heat of the sun, we still managed to battle against the creeping weeds and in the end, I presume that still, we attained our primary commitment to provide a a conducive environment for the resident animals, visitors and even for the staff and crew of ACRES. - March

My volunteering experience at St Luke's has motivated me to sign up more for such activities. It brings me immense joy when I see the elderly having fun with us as companions. Some have a positive mindset and some have a negative mindset about life. I am inspired by those who are optimistic. For those who have a negative mindset, I hope to add colour to their life and make them feel that life is still brightful and hopeful! - Zoe

I had a really good time painting the murals! It was truly an enriching experience. Before that, I had never painted anything bigger than a piece of drawing block. I've always been interested in art but I never had the talent nor the opportunity to start practising so it makes me very happy painting the very pretty murals drawn by the artists. Furthermore, I'm glad that what we did will benefit all the residents living in that area so I've decided to sign up for the next one! - Samantha

My greatest takeaway from this event (IVD 2010) is not the food or goodie bag but the opporturnity to be confident to approach strangers to inform them about the event or simply to give direction to seemingly lost sheep. It may be a simple act but it does help them a lot. Secondly, it is the opporturnity to reunite with other fellow volunteers that helped me growin some way or another. - Kristine

It's my first time doing volunteer work with SG Cares, and I have to say the people are awesome and friendly! Some of them even introduced me to the new and upcoming activities that will be happening and I will try to join if I am available. Well, through this experience, I find that doing volunteer work is about placing others before self. It focuses on improving the well-being of others and it makes me happy to see people happy. - Yi An

I think I would have enjoyed the event (IVD) less had I just been a normal participant of the event. The volunteering at IVD did not feel like "work" at all, but more like a gathering of friends (some new, some we have seen so many times before at various SG Cares activities) who all contributed positively to the event's success. - Benny

Volunteering has allowed me to reveal my compassion towards the needy people so that their life and my life will be filled with colour and hope every single day. - Han Jun Yuan

I found the session meaningful. It gave me the chance to understand more about special students. - Candy

I truly enjoyed the volunteering session. Initially I thought it wouldn't be very meaningful. I wouldn't have thought this service would mean so much to the people at the AWWA Resource Centre if not for what Teresa had said. I've come to realise how budget is a huge factor to consider in VWOs. - Stephanie

My first volunteering experience has been fantastic and fruitful. We will never know there are really so many people who are in need of help until we take up volunteering and we see and hear from the beneficiaries and organisations themselves. This has been a really a meaningful experience for me! - Meiqi

Thank you, SG Cares, for caring enough to spin off something like this for those of us out there who wanted to do something good but not sure how & where to start. And I am so glad I have finally started my journey of discovery. I am looking forward to more interesting "do-good" opportunities coming from SG Cares! - Jaclyn