AT THE National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC), we believe that Singaporeans are a generous people. From non-profit corporations to individual volunteers and donors, we all step up to help others in need.
We, too, sympathised with 70-year-old Tan Soy Kiang ("More than $50k raised for man who got cheated: 5 other examples of crowdfunding"; ST Online, Feb 12) but felt that his plight also created an opportunity for Singaporeans to express their generosity.
Taking action empowers those who give to be part of the solution instead of waiting for someone else to take action.
The popularity and accessibility of social media have created online communities of donors who can quickly and conveniently "crowd-give" to various causes and needs. Unfortunately, technology has also made it easier for people to be deceived by fraudsters into pledging support and donations for a "cause".
Therefore, we should verify if the causes are genuine, even if friends endorse them, so that our efforts can go to where the help is truly needed.
It is important for all of us to be informed givers. The more we know, for instance, the purpose of the funds, the proposers and the fund-raisers, the better and more effective and meaningful our help can be.
The NVPC likes its givers to think of themselves as "equal partners" in aiding a cause or the needy.
Due diligence pays off because fraud is minimised, people's confidence in giving is strengthened and normal citizens pay it forward because they know it makes a difference and their efforts matter.
The NVPC's vision is to grow Singapore into a nation that gives, and we cannot do this on our own.
As we continue to build and deepen our work to create that culture of giving, we give thanks for all the amazing Singaporeans who share in their abundance each day.
Melissa Kwee (Ms)
Chief Executive
National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre
We, too, sympathised with 70-year-old Tan Soy Kiang ("More than $50k raised for man who got cheated: 5 other examples of crowdfunding"; ST Online, Feb 12) but felt that his plight also created an opportunity for Singaporeans to express their generosity.
Taking action empowers those who give to be part of the solution instead of waiting for someone else to take action.
The popularity and accessibility of social media have created online communities of donors who can quickly and conveniently "crowd-give" to various causes and needs. Unfortunately, technology has also made it easier for people to be deceived by fraudsters into pledging support and donations for a "cause".
Therefore, we should verify if the causes are genuine, even if friends endorse them, so that our efforts can go to where the help is truly needed.
It is important for all of us to be informed givers. The more we know, for instance, the purpose of the funds, the proposers and the fund-raisers, the better and more effective and meaningful our help can be.
The NVPC likes its givers to think of themselves as "equal partners" in aiding a cause or the needy.
Due diligence pays off because fraud is minimised, people's confidence in giving is strengthened and normal citizens pay it forward because they know it makes a difference and their efforts matter.
The NVPC's vision is to grow Singapore into a nation that gives, and we cannot do this on our own.
As we continue to build and deepen our work to create that culture of giving, we give thanks for all the amazing Singaporeans who share in their abundance each day.
Melissa Kwee (Ms)
Chief Executive
National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre
