My Thoughts on BBSGB, and 45th in the News!

Received an sms from Bing Xu (an old Boy) this morning as I woke up.

"Cool xia our Boys on newspapers. Although i dunno who."

Immediately I went to flip through The Straits Times and I saw...

Nicholas and Dominic are featured in a picture in page B9 of the 'Home' section (Saturday, 6th December 2008) under the article entitled "They were helped - now it's their turn".


Something that I have always taken pride in since I was a Boy (I still am, theoretically speaking, because Primers are considered Boys also) is BBSGB. I daresay we are the ONLY uniformed youth organisation that is involved in such a noble and massive cause, helping people all over the island. Sure, other UGs may be doing things like Flag Day, but I am proud to say that none of their efforts are able to match up with the Boys' Brigade. It is very easy to hold a coin tin and ask for donations on the street, but it takes a lot of patience for people to sit at the booth from 11am - 9pm, waiting for donations to come in. It takes a lot of sweat and toil to slog out at the warehouse in HQ, sorting out all the food items and various donations, then packing them into bags, ready to be delivered to the families and organisations who need them. It may seem like an easy job, But you can Mr. Chung, Mr. Bay or Mr. Yap (all of them have worked as part of the Ops Team in HQ before) and they will prove you wrong.

This is the 21st year since the start of BBSGB, and it is still going strong, with donations from kind-hearted well-wishers, selfless effort by the volunteers, as well as the Ops Team in HQ and the Boys who are stationed at the satellite Gift Boxes and Wish Trees in the various shopping centres and hotels. Having worked in HQ Warehouse before when I was a Potential Founders' Men, I was able to see the big picture, and had a better understanding of what was going on. I thank God for giving me that chance. I would definitely want you guys to go down to HQ Warehouse and take a look, and if possible, do some deliveries and interact with some of the beneficiaries.

So, instead of grumbling about having to do duty, take pride in the fact that you are part of this noble cause. Be glad that the effort you put in, no matter how much, are able to put smiles on the faces of the needy and the less fortunate. Be proactive and take the initiative to inform the public, as well and family and friends about this annual event. Be happy and thankful that God gave you this chance to help others.



Instructor Hongyou