While COVID-19 restrictions have made it difficult for certain activities to be carried out, volunteer groups did not let it stop them from giving back to the community. Changing up their volunteer activities to work around these restrictions, Red Cross Youth (RCY) NTU organised their first ever donation drive from 1 to 7 November 2020.
Students and staff members dropped by the various collection points around the campus to donate their pre-loved items, from clothes to stationery and books.
The volunteers packed and sent all items to The Salvation Army, which would then benefit 1,800 beneficiaries under the organisation both directly and indirectly. Clothing donations will be recycled or sold to raise funds for humanitarian aid, while food donations will be supplied to the beneficiaries.
Despite having a few challenges along the way – mainly in deciding the type of event they should go with due to the COVID-19 restrictions – RCY believes the project was a great success and learning experience. They hope that through its community service events, donators and volunteers alike will be motivated to take a proactive stance in serving the community.
I think the donation drive is a really good initiative. It is especially relevant now, since there are a lot of families struggling because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Valerie Tan, Contributor
About Red Cross Youth NTU Chapter
The NTU Chapter of the Singapore Red Cross Society attached to the Voluntary Aid Detachments Division was set up in July 1994.
The objectives of the Chapter are: To encourage and promote the participation of students and staff of NTU in the work of Red Cross; to furnish voluntary aid to the sick and suffering, and all those who require health education, first aid, nursing and welfare services in the University, and to provide voluntary support in such areas in University activities; to organize training and classes on subjects like first aid, CPR and others that fall within the objectives of the Society; to provide voluntary support to the Society in its various activities.
