Celebrating Singaporeans growing the spirit of SG Cares

Speech by Mr Eric Chua, Parliamentary Secretary for Culture, Community and Youth & Social and Family Development at the YMCA-Lim Kim San Volunteers Awards Night 2020

Mr Teo Eng Cheong, President of YMCA Singapore,
Mr Steve Loh, General Secretary & CEO of YMCA Singapore,
Volunteers and staff of the YMCA-Lim Kim San Volunteers Programme

1. Good evening! It is my pleasure to join you at the YMCA-Lim Kim San Volunteers Awards Night 2020.
   
   

   Celebrating Singaporeans for showing care amid the pandemic

2. I would like to start by thanking all YMCA volunteers for your efforts in serving the community. Last year, some 6,000 volunteers dedicated over 89,000 volunteer hours – that works out to about 15 hours per person. Together, you served over 23,000 beneficiaries, in Singapore and beyond. Please give yourselves a big round of applause!
3. This year, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted all our lives. Vulnerable communities, in particular, face greater challenges because of the restrictions in movement and increased health risks. In these difficult times, it is heartening to see so many of you reaching out to support our friends and neighbours.
4. Tonight, we have Ms Seak Jing Rong, who has served as a volunteer since she was a student. As an executive committee member of her University-YMCA, she developed marketing strategies and sponsorships for their community outreach programmes, increasing their reach and effectiveness. Her efforts also inspired her peers to step up and volunteer. Jing Rong is receiving the Volunteer of the Year award.
5. We also have Mr Goh Jin Xiong, who went above and beyond to deliver meals to vulnerable communities through YMCA’s Wok The Talk programme. Rain or shine, he delivered meals every single day for three months. In total, he committed over 100 hours of his time to this cause. His dedication and hard work are truly commendable. Jin Xiong will be receiving the Volunteer Exceptional Award tonight.
6. We are also celebrating the efforts of corporates in enhancing community programmes at the YMCA. I would like to commend Barclays Bank and Citi Singapore for contributing to the YMCA-Lim Kim San Volunteers Programme.
7. Citi Singapore, recipient of tonight’s Outstanding Corporate Volunteer Award, reached out to the community through the Citi-YMCA Food For Good Programme. On top of pledging to the cause, staff from Citi Singapore volunteered to deliver the meals personally to beneficiaries.
8. I would like to commend all award winners tonight for your outstanding efforts in giving back to the community. All of you exemplify the spirit of SG Cares, a national movement to build a more caring and inclusive home.
   
   

   Growing the spirit of SG Cares

9. We can truly be a more caring society only if it becomes a movement where everyone is involved. As we celebrate the contributions of award winners this evening, let’s amplify the spirit of SG Cares through everyday acts of care and kindness. You might know friends or family members who are willing to volunteer but may not be aware of volunteering opportunities or needs of the community. Encourage them to download the SG Cares app, so they too can know about available volunteering opportunities.
10. At the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, we support and partner all Singaporeans in growing the SG Cares movement. By doing so, we are building the society that we want for ourselves and for our future generations.
    
    

    Conclusion

11. In closing, I would like to congratulate all 96 recipients of the YMCA- Lim Kim San Awards 2020. I am confident that your acts of service will inspire other Singaporeans to volunteer and to give back to society. Together, let’s build a more caring, compassionate and inclusive Singapore. Thank you!