In commemoration of World AIDS Day, City Harvest Community Services Association (CHCSA’s) FIRST Hand (Friends in Reaching and Serving the Terminally-ill) carried out a special fund-raising event over the weekend of 28 to 29 November 2009. A 40-strong team of dedicated and hardworking volunteers sold red ribbons to church visitors at both the Jurong West church premises and Singapore Expo Hall 8.
The support for HIV/AIDS patients was evident by the droves of people who bought the ribbons. Some even bought several ribbons to give away to family and friends.
David Chin, who bought a red ribbon, said, ” I think it’s for a very meaningful cause. I bought a red ribbon because I want to encourage the HIV patients, and I know that the donations will go towards helping them in their needs and in other programmes that FIRST Hand carries out.”
For Regina Neo, she also wanted to show her support and acceptance for the patients. “The red ribbon is a symbol for me to show that there is hope and acceptance among the public,” she said.
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PHOTOS: Alvin Loh |
The proceeds will go towards the beneficiaries of FIRST Hand, such as for the purchase of groceries for needy HIV/AIDS patients, and towards future plans and programmes dedicated to serving the beneficiaries more.
This is the first time that FIRST Hand, who had collaborated with other organizations in the past, has organized an event on its own. The event was a tremendous success, with an impressive 4,200 red ribbons sold over two days.
Jeremy Choy, a project manager in FIRST Hand, felt that the event was simply the beginning of more things to come.
Said Choy, “There is still a lot more work to be done in raising awareness and breaking misconceptions among the public, both among Christians and Non-christians, about HIV/AIDS. This event was a good opportunity to do so, and we hope that there will be an increased level of acceptance and love for HIV/AIDS patients.”