During the odd occasions when I help out as a volunteer with the Com Chest, some friends have asked what I do. I tell them I am a "SHARE ambassador" whose main role is to help spread awareness of the SHARE programme through briefings to businesses and government agencies.
Just like this one where I am giving a briefing to Metro staff on how their monthly donations go towards helping 300,000 beneficiaries in Singapore. Earlier, Comm Chest staff had conducted a mini training workshop for us volunteers. That helped a lot but it took me a while to feel confident to agree to go solo. Strangely enough, once I started speaking, I no longer felt nervous. The message itself was powerful enough. I was merely a conduit and I hope I did the message justice.
Another event I attended was at MND for their public service week. I was there with other volunteers to help raise funds by selling Com Chest merchandise, ranging from stationery to the cute pink Sharity elephant you can probably make out in the picture. I learnt that the Sharity Elephant is always sold-out at such events -- Singaporeans are really into their stuffed toys. Incidentally, the other two volunteers are Indian nationals who have set up their own business here in Singapore. Talk about giving back -- I salute them for their generosity.
SHARE is essentially a programme you sign on to make a monthly donation deducted from your payroll, credit card or GIRO. No amount is too small and this year, the government is matching every dollar of donation made before end of the year So, don't wait, this is the ideal time to make that donation if you have been pondering over it for a while.