PSSA 2003 - Informal Group Award Winner

CityCare Charity Group

The CityCare Charity Group started as an initiative by eight CityCab taxi drivers in February 2000. Since then, it has grown to about 200 members.

These drivers are on a mission to provide love and care to the less fortunate, particularly those in need of transport, like the disabled and the elderly.

The Group has made several contributions through its charity fund, which receives regular contributions of $20 from each member. So far, it has raised about $100,000 to help the needy from the Thye Hwa Kuan Moral Society, Kidney Dialysis Foundation, Yayasan Mendaki and the Singapore Indian Development Association.

In addition, they have also taken up a number of charitable community projects. An example would be the MiCAB Project, a joint effort between Michelin, a tyre manufacturer, and CityCab. Since January 2002, CityCare members have helped to provide a special transportation service for 25 disabled students, fetching them to and from school daily, come rain or shine. Those involved have all undergone special training on how to handle disabled passengers. Fares collected from MiCAB (about $5,000 annually per student sponsored by Michelin) are then channelled to CityCare's charity fund to finance other charities.

CityCare members also work with Food From The Heart (FFTH) - a non-profit organisation that redistributes unsold bread from bread companies to charities. Some deliver food items on their own as volunteers while others team up with non-driving FFTH volunteers to ferry them from bakeries to the delivery points.

The Love COPE Programme led by Marine Parade CDC is an ongoing community project that they strongly support as well. Their contributions range from providing free transportation to elderly citizens to fund-raising activities.

In recognition of their selfless service to the community, the Group emerged the overall winner for the "Outstanding New Volunteerism Initiative" category in the National Volunteerism Awards 2002.

CityCare Charity Group's readiness in responding to social needs and their commitment to the cause is truly heartwarming.

Other PSSA 2003 winners: