PSSA 2004 - Public Sector Award Winner

Singapore Armed Forces

Defenders with Hearts - that was the name for the series of activities by Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) that raised $1.68 million for beneficiaries of the President's Challenge last year - in addition to their annual commitment to adopted charities.

The title seems most befitting for a group that has been most big in heart - having been involved in charitable causes for more than 20 years, and successfully fused the spirit of selfless giving into its organisation culture.

Together, the three forces under the SAF - Air Force, Army and Navy - adopt more than 100 charitable organisations. These cut across the whole social service sector - from aged homes, children's homes, special schools to homes for people with disabilities. One example would be Tengah Air Base (TAB), which has adopted the Melrose Home since 1976. TAB personnel visit the home on a monthly basis to assistance in the maintenance and upkeep of the home.

To SAF, the priority is always the needs of the charities, the homes and the beneficiaries. Their needs will always be established before proceeding with a project. One example would be the Open Houses, when SAF personnel take the extra effort to plan special tours for different groups of beneficiaries, who are thus given the rare opportunity to experience the different types of advanced technology like aircrafts and warships.

In addition, regular talks on community involvement at various camps and BMTC schools are also conducted to help spread awareness of the less advantaged to new recruits and regular officers.

Since 1984, SAF has contributed more than $15 million to the Community Chest alone, through the Community Chest's SHARE monthly donation programme, Army Half Marathon and other fund-raising activities. Last year, SAF also initiated the "leave buy-back" scheme, where staff could donate part of their annual leave and the dollar value of that leave was donated to beneficiaries of the President's Challenge 2003.

Indeed, giving back to the community in various forms has become a way of life for SAF personnel over the years. Their dedication in serving the country and the needy is most definitely a force to be reckoned with.

Other PSSA 2004 winners: