• Singapore’s biggest Christmas charity project moves main gift box to Toa Payoh in its second foray into the heartlands

The Boys’ Brigade Share-a-Gift (BBSG) will brighten the heartlands with Christmas cheer once again, as it moves its main box location out of Orchard road into the heartlands for a second time. Acting Minister for Social and Family Development, Mr Chan Chun Sing graced the opening ceremony of BBSG 2012 as Guest-of-Honour. Mr Chan marked the opening of BBSG 2012 by receiving the project’s first donation on behalf of BBSG 2012. He also penned his wishes on a gift-card – another unique feature of the project this year, as BBSG celebrates its 25th Anniversary.

On the project’s hallmark 25th Anniversary, Mr Chan said, “The persevering efforts and dedication of The Boys’ Brigade have brought the project to this milestone occasion. This is a great testimony to the spirit of care for one another that is crucial to the building of an inclusive society. I applaud the Boys’ Brigade’s efforts to bring festive cheer to the lives of the less privileged amongst us, and I encourage even more people and volunteers to come forward to support this meaningful cause.”

NTUC FairPrice also rose to the occasion, making the first donation of items to the Main Gift Box, and commemorating 25 years of the project by donating 25 trolleys of food items. Mr Lui Chong Chee, Chairman of the BBSG 2012 organising committee said of BBSG’s plans this year, “We rejoice in the abundant generousity and enthusiasm of the Singaporean public which has carried the project thus far. Following the success of our initial foray out of Orchard last year, we have moved the main gift box into the heartlands once again. We hope to encourage Singaporeans to see sharing and caring as an integral part of everyday life, by situating the project right in the midst of the Singaporean heart-beat. We urge many more to join us in our endeavour to bring a smile to a record number of beneficiaries this year.”

The BBSG project is distinct in the challenge it poses to Singaporeans to go beyond just monetary donations. It calls on donors to be more actively involved in bringing joy to the less fortunate, by fulfilling their Christmas wishes. In keeping with the call for active involvement, Boys’ Brigade members will pen heart-felt wishes onto gift cards which will be sent directly alongside food hampers to general wishes beneficiaries this year.

This year, BBSG aims to fulfil the wishes of 30,285 beneficiaries, the highest number to date. This includes 22,086 general wishes beneficiaries who will each receive general food and household items that can last them for an estimated 6 months period.

From now until 19th December, donors can drop off their donations of non-perishable general food and household items at the open space between Toa Payoh Entertainment Centre and Blk 192 Lorong 4 Toa Payoh, or 13 other boxes located at various NTUC FairPrice outlets (Refer to Annex A below for the list of BBSG 2012 gift boxes and wish tree locations).

To fulfil specific wishes, the public can adopt a Wish from any of the three Specific Wish Trees located at Ang Mo Kio HUB (Fairprice Xtra), Jurong Point (Fairprice Xtra) and nex Mall (Fairprice Xtra). They may also purchase and donate general food and household hampers valued at $20, $30 and $50 via NTUC FairPrice’s online portal (www.fairprice.com.sg) from now until 31 December. Wish contributions can also be made through any of the 820 AXS stations located island wide.

BBSG also invites Singaporeans to experience a deeper involvement by delivering gifts to the beneficiaries at the public car delivery flag-offs on 8th and 15th December. Volunteers who wish to take part must register with the BBSG in advance via www.bbshare.sg.

For more information, the public can contact:

BBSG hotline at 1800 227 4273 (1800-BBSHARE) or visit the website at www.bbshare.sg.

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ANNEX A – LIST OF BBSG 2012 GIFT BOXES AND WISH TREES LOCATIONS