Nominations open for awards to recognise everyday heroes doing good in Singapore
Nominations are now open for this year's Singapore Silent Heroes Award, where five everyday heroes in will be lauded.
The award, in its ninth year, is organised by non-profit Civilians Association Singapore (CAS). It recognises those who have made a difference in society without seeking recognition or monetary benefits.
Ms Priscilla Ong, 39, was one of the five winners last year.
As an infant care teacher in 2014, Ms Ong fed meals daily to less fortunate children at the centre she worked at, but always wondered if they had enough to eat over the weekend when the centre was closed.
Today, she leads Project Love Lunch, a ground-up initiative to provide food and groceries to the needy in Yishun. The initiative, which started in 2015, feeds close to 200 families in the area.
Ms Ong said that her mother, who died in 1994, was her inspiration.
The late staff sergeant used to take a metal box filled with petty cash to work at Seletar Camp, so that any national serviceman who was short of cash could take from it.
She said: "To be recognised is good but honestly as long as the people we help are happy, that's all that matters. Knowing you have filled a heart with hope and a tummy with food is what is more important.
"I am doing what my mummy would have done if she was still around, and I hope she is proud of all that I have done."
To celebrate the launch of this year's award, past Silent Heroes awardees organised a series of family bonding activities along with volunteers from CAS and the PA Bukit Gombak Constituency on April 9.
Families were taken on a tour at the National Museum and afterwards participated in a family canvas painting session.
Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth and MP for Bukit Gombak Low Yen Ling joined the activities and helped to launch the call for nominations.
She said that these awards have inspired the public with real life examples of ordinary people creating extraordinary impact.
She said: "Many of us have been touched by the winners' courage, kindness and grit. Their noble acts have also led us to aspire to be kinder, to make this world a better place.
"These Silent Heroes indeed deserve our resounding applause for their positive spirit and unity in doing good," she added.
Nominations close on June 30.
The award has five categories, four for Singaporeans or permanent residents, and one for foreigners.
The categories are Hearts of Humanity (Care & Disabilities), Pioneers of Promise, Outstanding Adult, Inspiring Youth and Compassionate Foreigner, with one winner per category.
To nominate someone, the public can login to this website.
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