Getting to Know Some Charities
Christmas is the season of giving. This year, we bring you a special feature on some organisations which help those who need it. Let's also take a look at how we can do to help.
Ronald McDonald Children's Charity (RMCC)
Did you know that every time you consume a Happy Meal, you're not just enjoying yummy food? You're also helping children in need of help. This is because five cents is donated to theRonald McDonald Children's Charity, or RMCC with every Happy Meal sold.
The RMCC was started in 1989. To date, it has helped more than 700 sick children from needy families by providing money to buy medicine and paying for other medical treatments and surgeries. Without help from the RMCC, many of these children would be suffering.
Ronald McDonald Family Room (RMFR)
Besides providing funds to help sick children, RMCC also supports the Ronald McDonald Family Room (RMFR). The RMFR occupies one of the closed wards in KK Women's and Children's Hospital's Women's wing. It provides a “home away from home” within the hospital for the families of children undergoing treatment in the hospital.
The RMFR includes 12 bedrooms, an adult's and children's library, a children's playroom, TV lounge, dining area, internet corner and much more. I'm sure sick children feel much better when their family members are around!
Here's what you can do to help:
- From Nov 1 to Dec 31 2007 , you can purchase a Helping Hand which is a printed hand cut-out at S$1 each from McDonald's restaurants island-wide. This money will be donated to the RMCC. Make sure you ask Mum and Dad for permission first!
The Red Cross
The Red Cross was started in 1863 in Geneva , Switzerland by a businessman named Henry Dunant. He was on his way to meet French Emperor, Napoleon III to discuss business matters when he witnessed the Battle of Solferino in the small town of Solferino in Italy . Henry Dunant was shocked by the number who died, the sufferings of the wounded soldiers and the lack of medical care and attention. He stayed behind in Solferino to help the wounded. Not long after that, the Red Cross was born.
Singapore Red Cross (SRC)
Today, the Red Cross exists in almost all nations of the world. In Singapore , the Singapore Red Cross has set up a home for the disabled, a hostel for handicapped workers, regularly organises blood donation drives, sends aid to neighbouring countries in times of emergency such as the 2004 Tsunami and also conducts first-aid training courses.
Here's what you can do to help:
- Donate old or unwanted clothes, bed sheets and other items. Check with the Red Cross if they accept the items you are donating.
- Suggest to your teachers to invite the Red Cross to conduct talks in your school.
The Singapore SPCA (Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals)
There are organisations and societies that are devoted not to protecting and helping human beings, but to protecting and helping the animals that share our planet. The SPCA is the first registered welfare animal organisation in Singapore and has been in existence since the 1800's, although the exact date when the organisation was started is not known.
Since it started, the SPCA has not turned away any unwanted or stray animals. Unfortunately, as it has limited space on its premises and too many abandoned and unwanted animals in its care, the SPCA has to put some animals to sleep.
Here's what you can do to help:
- Keeping a pet is a long-term commitment. Ensure that you and your family are able and willing to take care of your pet for life before you decide to get one.
- If you and your parents have decided to get a pet, you might consider adopting one from the SPCA instead of buying it from a pet store.
- Take your pet to the vet for sterilisation. Sterilised pets are happier, healthier and will not have unwanted babies