28 November 2003

SPEECH BY MR THARMAN SHANMUGARATNAM, ACTING MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, AT THE BOYS' BRIGADE SHARITY GIFT BOX OPENING CEREMONY AT TOA PAYOH HDB HUB ON FRIDAY, 28 NOVEMBER 2003, AT 2.40 PM

1 I am happy to join you this afternoon at this year's launch of The Boys' Brigade (BB) Sharity Gift Box.

2 Now in its 16th year, the project has brought much joy and cheer to many of the less privileged in our community.

3 What distinguishes the BB Sharity Gift Box from other donation drives is the unique way in which it is organised. The project actively seeks to meet the wishes of the less fortunate themselves. The elderly, needy children and disadvantaged families put in their wishes of what they would like. Their wishes are usually simple. I am told that the elderly often put in requests for practical items such as a vacuum flask or a fan. Children often ask for stationery items or school bags.

4 For the donor, I am sure that there is nothing more gratifying than knowing that you have helped bring cheer to someone's life by making his or her wish come true. The giving is also more meaningful because I understand the donors are encouraged to make the extra effort of purchasing the gifts personally. The project is also a good way to promote social cohesion as it calls for active participation and involvement across all ages, races and religions.

5 This year, we have a 26 per cent increase in the number of wishes from the needy¹. The BB will require all the help it can get to meet these wishes. If last year's results are any indication, I am sure that Singaporeans will lend them their wholehearted support. Even though we were in the midst of an economic downturn, Singaporeans and corporate citizens contributed generously last year, donating a total of $2.6m worth of gifts, which was $200,000 more than that collected in 2001. This helped the BB to meet all the wishes of the beneficiaries last year as they had in previous years.

6 Already, I note that corporate citizens have given strong support to the BB Sharity Gift Box this year - even increasing their involvement in the project. NTUC FairPrice, the main sponsor, not only contributed $50,000 to the project, but has also gone the extra mile to make it more convenient for Singaporeans to contribute by offering special $20 FairPrice-BB Sharity Gift Cards for purchase. Later, it will also treat 100 beneficiaries to a special FairPrice shopping trip. Many companies also helped in other ways by rallying employees to contribute either through gifts or by encouraging them to help out as volunteers. The Defence Science & Technology Agency (DSTA) and Philips Consumer Electronics have undertaken to fulfil a considerable number of wishes, while Fuji Xerox Singapore will pack and deliver gifts to the beneficiaries in addition to organising a rally at their own Satellite Gift Box².

7 I am happy to note that our schools also actively contribute towards the project. I understand that several primary and secondary schools have already collected and delivered the gifts last month. In Beatty Secondary, for instance, each class adopted and fulfilled a wish. Xinghua Primary organised a bazaar where proceeds went to purchasing food items and fulfilling the wishes of beneficiaries. Our students' involvement in such projects makes them more sensitive to the needs of the less privileged in society. This is part and parcel of our schools' efforts to nurture civic-minded and compassionate youth, with a heart to contribute to the community. Students who are members of the Boys' Brigade have a bigger role to play. They will be occupied during their December holidays with the collection, packing and distribution of the gifts. I am sure that the project will also be a good opportunity for them to pick up useful skills, such as in project management.

8 I am glad that the BB has tied up with the Community Development Councils (CDCs) to help the less privileged in society through this project. 3,500 recipients under the CDC's Public Assistance Scheme will benefit from this Gift Box project. In addition to benefiting the needy in their constituency, the project is also a good opportunity for the CDCs to rally their residents to chip in to the BB cause. Central Singapore CDC already plans to help out in this way. Its grassroots leaders will help deliver gifts to the Public Assistance Scheme (PA) recipients in their constituency.

9 In conclusion, I commend The Boys' Brigade for having encouraged voluntarism and philanthropy in Singapore for many years through this project. By doing so, you provide Singaporeans with an additional avenue to care and share with the less privileged in society.

10 I encourage Singaporeans and corporate citizens to spread the festive cheer by contributing generously to the BB Sharity Gift Box.

¹Individuals from more than 120 charities as well as recipients of the Public Assistance Scheme, administered by the Community Development Councils, made a total of 5,604 wishes this year, compared to the 4,444 in 2002.

²Satellite Gift Boxes are Sharity Gift Boxes fabricated according to the design of the company, with its logo. BB Boys man the Boxes.