12 Days of Giving Brighten the Holidays in Singapore
Day 1
Fifteen employee volunteers used their flair for artmaking by working together with 40 children from Canossaville Children’s Home to create Christmas decorations, including paper ornaments, ice-cream stick snowflakes and crepe paper pom poms, to liven up their premises!
Day 2
Back by popular demand, we headed down to the historical Red Cross House to give a fresh coat of paint to 3 training rooms. What’s more, one of our talented employees even left a beautiful mural of Audrey Hepburn on the wall!
Day 3
Our friends from Bishan Home for the Intellectually Disabled always enjoy days out with our employees. This year, eight of us accompanied ten beneficiaries to the new Singapore Sports Hub to take a look at the world-class stadium, experience riding the MRT and help them buy their own lunch at the food court.
Day 4
Seven elderly residents of the Lions Befrienders Bukit Batok branch were treated to lunch and a fun grocery shopping trip with Microsoft volunteers. The day did not stop there, as the cheery volunteers also ensured the beneficiaries headed home safely with bags full of groceries.
Day 5
Microsoft interns and Student Partners (MSPs) had so much fun previously with IDA’s Lab on Wheels, they decided to repeat the experience during the 12 Days of Giving. Six interns and MSPs headed out to the Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC) to teach 15 young people how to code, inspiring them with the possibilities of technology.
Day 6
Eleven Microsoft employees reunited with 50 friends from one of our main nonprofit partners, SPD. We were pleasantly surprised as the beneficiaries presented us with a mini Christmas musical they had specially prepared!
Day 7
Hamper packing is extreme volunteering, and Microsoft employees never fail to disappoint the good folks at Food From The Heart. Fourteen volunteers packed a whopping 166 hampers, benefiting many needy families. This was the highest number of hampers packed by a volunteer group in a single session!
Day 8
Christmas is a season of love and it is always a joy to give! On top of providing our annual Christmas wish list for 40 children at Sun Love Home, eight employee volunteers put together a full programme consisting of lunch, a magic show and balloon treats for the children and their parents.
Day 9
Staff members from CARE (Children-At-Risk Empowerment Association) strive to make a difference in the lives of young people. In appreciation, three Microsoft volunteers took the chance to thank them by teaching the CAREgivers how to code. Afterward, they were introduced to Microsoft’s latest fun and innovative technologies!
Day 10
Christmas caroling, a tea break and bingo games were enough to bring laughter and smiles to 60 elderly residents of Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital. It was a heart-warming event that brought festive cheer to all, including the 11 volunteers!
Day 11
Everyone wants to visit the new Singapore Sports Hub, including our friends from SPD. Eighty employee volunteers accompanied 40 beneficiaries during a rare day out for lunch and some Christmas shopping.
Day 12
It is not often that the elderly at the Lions Home for the Elders in Bedok get visitors. But on one recent afternoon, 10 Microsoft volunteers took time out from work to visit, filling the halls with Christmas carols and good cheer during a special Christmas Bingo session for 60 beneficiaries.