Some 10,000 volunteers to distribute haze care packs to vulnerable S’poreans this weekend
(From right) PA CED Mr Ang Hak Seng, FairPrice CEO Mr Seah Kian Peng, grassroots volunteers and PA and FairPrice staff packing the sample WeCare Packs. Photo: People's Association
SINGAPORE — About 10,000 volunteers will fan out to island-wide this weekend to help give out the People’s Association’s (PA) WeCare packs to help vulnerable residents with the effects of haze.
The PA also stands ready with “contingency plans to deliver home cooked food” to needy residents in the event that the Pollutant Standards Index reading reaches hazardous levels. Said PA chief executive director Ang Hak Seng today (Sept 17): “At the end of the day, it is about Singaporeans, helping Singaporeans, caring for each other.”
Volunteers gathered to pack the WeCare packs today, among them 48-year-old housewife Ms Rashidah Umat, who has volunteered with PA for six years.
After packing the items — which include an N95 mask and various food and medical supplies — at her nearest Community Club, she and other volunteers will spend the weekend giving out the packs to senior citizens living alone and those with respiratory problems.
Needy residents are identified by grassroots leaders and volunteers, who have paid home visits at their respective constituencies. “I feel it is not hard for us when we distribute, because we feel so happy when they receive the pack,” she said.
Another volunteer, Mr Kelvin Tan, an environment, health and safety manager, 49, who participates in community events regularly with his wife and his 17-year-old son, felt it was a good initiative on PA’s part to help the needy in times of crisis. He said: “We are holding the belief that we are serving them, to help them, in a small little way in order to relieve them from the impact of the haze.”
Mr Tan’s son, Dorjee Ugyen Tan, added: “It is a very good opportunity and platform to interact with residents, not just in my constituency, but residents all over Singapore. And on top of that, it’s a good cause.”
S$500,000 worth of essential food and items were donated by Fairprice Foundation for the WeCare pack initiative.
