Being charitable together as a family isn’t just good for the people you’re helping out. It can also bring you and your family members closer together, resulting in stronger family connections. Studies have shown that doing charitable work, such as volunteering and performing acts of kindness, is good for our mental wellbeing. Giving as a family can also impart lessons in empathy, sharing, compassion and understanding.
There are many ways to help out as a family. These six ideas also make for wonderful bonding experiences.
1. Volunteer together
There are many charities and social enterprises that could use extra pairs of hands. Make volunteering a family affair by gathering your loved ones and signing up to help at different events or supporting an important cause every couple of months. Whether it’s volunteering at a pet shelter, organising a fundraiser, distributing food to needy Singaporeans, serving meals at a soup kitchen, or supporting programmes that help at-risk youth, the visually handicapped, people with mild intellectual disabilities or low-income families, there’s a lot you can do as a family to make a difference and change lives for the better.
2. Organise a collection of money, vouchers or goods
Start a fund for a special cause or group that your family can put money towards. Aim to raise a certain amount by a specific date, and then donate the money, or use it to buy shopping vouchers, on behalf of your family.
Your family can also collect gently used or unused clothing, books, toys, stationery, and household items from their friends, neighbours and colleagues and donate them to charity.
Many charities accept non-perishable groceries and toiletries, so you may want to start a collection for these products, too.
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3. Donate blood
Donating blood helps maintain Singapore’s blood supply and save lives. The blood donation process is simple – all you have to do is check your eligibility and make an appointment (the minimum age requirement for blood donors is 16 years old). Get eligible family members together and make a trip to the blood bank. If you’re organising a group blood drive for more than 10 participants, you can request for transport to one of the island’s blood banks. Find out more at giveblood.sg.
4. Befriend senior neighbours
There are many seniors who are living alone or have no one to talk to or socialise with. Maintaining social connections in old age is important – it may help reduce cognitive decline and reduce the risk of depression, heart disease, stroke and premature death. If you have older neighbours who live alone or don’t get to see their children and grandchildren very often, take turns with your family members to spend time with them at home, take them on outings, help them with housework and grocery shopping, or escort them to medical appointments.
You can also visit an aged care facility regularly and spend time with the residents there.
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5. Put your skills to good use
Non-profit organisations are always on the lookout for people with special skills to help support their beneficiaries. If you are skilled in financial management, for example, you can empower low-income families to achieve financial independence and help them break the poverty cycle. If you have an art background, you can conduct free art classes for children who cannot afford art lessons. Find out what skills your family members can contribute and then contact local charities and non-profit organisations to find out how you can all put your talents to good use.
6. Help clean our beaches and parks
Volunteers are always welcome to help remove litter from our beaches and parks, so get your family together to take action and make these public areas more enjoyable for other beach-goers. The Public Hygiene Council encourages Singaporeans to be part of the clean-up effort at various locations, including Changi Beach Park, Coney Island Park, Sembawang Park, Tiong Bahru Park, Woodlands Waterfront Park, and Pasir Ris Beach Park.
Register online, for free, at publichygienecouncil.sg/beachcleanup. You will need to bring your own masks, gloves, hand sanitiser, tongs and trash bags, and you may borrow litter-picking tools via the website. Remember to download the online guide to help you organise your first clean-up.
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