Christmas is the season of giving, and 14 COURTS employees personified this in enthusiastically giving their time to help fulfil the Christmas wishes of underprivileged children and their families. On 5 December, these staff volunteers personally delivered household appliances to selected beneficiary homes in MacPherson, and hosted them to an early Christmas celebration with dinner and games.
One of the volunteers, finance executive Irene Zheng, 34, had a smile on her face the whole time and she shared why: “It’s my second time volunteering for COURTS Charity Home, and it will definitely not be my last. Delivering needed items, spending time with the children and their families, and seeing them so happy makes my Christmas even merrier too! Volunteering is part of our DNA at COURTS, and I’m delighted to lend a helping hand while bonding with our community over the festive period.”
Another volunteer, sales associate Sunchu Hariprasad, 24, enjoys bonding with the community as it makes him feel at home, even while away from home. “The kids are so full of energy! Being with them reminded me of my wife and child back home in India – I miss them a lot. Even though I’m not able to celebrate the festivities with them, it’s wonderful that I can spend them with my colleagues here and help spread festive cheer to others in our community.”
Ahead of the festive season, COURTS worked with Care Community Services Society (CCSS) to find out the wishes of children from disadvantaged family backgrounds. Living in rental flats and under the Financial Assistance Scheme, these children and their families wished for items to complete their home and family needs this Christmas. Across the 13 homes, $30,000 worth of furniture such as brand new sofas, beds and wardrobes, as well as home appliances including washing machines, refrigerators and ovens, were fulfilled by COURTS.
Izaack, Shakini and Martin Nesakumar (9, 11 and 12 respectively), together with their mum, Ida Suriani Abdullah, 41, had wished for a new fridge and sofa to replace their old and worn sets, and a rice cooker to cook simple meals for themselves. Mdm Ida Abdullah, a single mother with four children and currently unemployed due to a rib injury, was delighted upon receiving the items: “I am so thankful to COURTS for sponsoring a new fridge, sofa and rice cooker, all of which are very much needed. Our old fridge was not working well, and my sofa was a stained second-hand set that the previous owner wanted to dispose. Now my children and I have a comfortable place to rest in the day, and can cook meals with fresh ingredients.”
This Christmas event is the fourth and final chapter this year for COURTS Charity Home, which connects COURTS’ CSR efforts with underprivileged communities during festive periods. In 2019, over 65 COURTS staff have volunteered their time through this programme to serve the disadvantaged in Singapore. COURTS Charity Home 2019 has totalled contributions of over S$92,000 worth of needed home furnishings and electrical appliances, benefitting over 400 senior citizens and children.
