On 6 February 2021, residents of the Jalan Kukoh, an estate made up mostly of rental flats, received an early Chinese New Year present, in the form of $50 worth of essential food items and red packets.

This new Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative by the Singapore Statutory Boards Employees' Co-operative Thrift and Loan Society (SSBEC) is to help and support our community amidst the ongoing COVID-19 situation. This initiative will be extended to Hari Raya Puasa and Deepavali as well.

SSBEC Chairman Mr S. Gulam, and SNCF Chief Executive Officer Mr Ang Hin Kee kicked off the event at the SSBEC office located at Cantonment Road which was broadcasted via Zoom to the volunteers at the Jalan Kukoh estate. Volunteers comprised the Committee of Management (COM) and staff of SSBEC, staff of SNCF and members of the Jalan Kukoh Residents Committee (RC).

In his opening address, Mr Gulam thanked the COM and staff for their hard work and support. It is only when the co-operative does well, it can then do more good.  He said: “We are giving out goodie bags and red packets to 170 families in six blocks in Jalan Kukoh whom we can support from our hearts. We are glad to partner SNCF and RC to bring festive cheer to them during this season.”

SNCF CEO Mr Ang thanked SSBEC for the opportunity to do good together. He said: “Being able to share and give helps boost the energy to start the Year of the Ox in the right spirit.”

Volunteers were divided into six teams of five to six people, with each team serving one block. Each team is further subdivided into a group of two in the distribution of the gift items to the residents. This is to keep each other safe while doing good.

Seeing the smile on the residents’ faces made the volunteers’ day and helped make this Chinese New Year a joyous and memorable one.