Lions Befrienders Volunteers Day 2026 - Dr Janil Puthucheary

1. Good morning. I am delighted to join all of you to celebrate Lions Befrienders’ Volunteers Day 2026.

Appreciation for Lions Befrienders and its Volunteers

2. Thank you all for coming to join us for this celebration of the heart of our community – our volunteers. Volunteerism is not just an act of charity; it is an opportunity and powerful catalyst for personal and social growth. When we step forward to serve, we build empathy, forge unbreakable social bonds, friendships between different communities and gain a deep sense of purpose.

3. This year’s theme “Caring Hands, Greener Future” focuses on two important causes - causes that are important to us as a society: social resilience and environmental responsibility. Social resilience has been part of Singapore’s DNA around nation building, right from the start. We have been concerned about how our society holds together and is resilient through anything that life throws at us. Now, it is something that we can volunteer in to help build those bonds. Environmental responsibility has also been something that has been part of our thinking right from the start, long before we understood the word “sustainability” and “environmentalism” in those days. But we were worried about our resources, water to begin with. We were worried about the greenery of our island nation, and we have been working for three generations championing sustainability. By championing sustainable volunteerism, we are nurturing a culture of giving that is enduring, deeply embedded in our daily lives, and designed to care for both our people and our planet for generations to come.

4. At the core of this mission is empowering our seniors. Ageing should never be about sitting on the sidelines. Rather, we want to encourage active and positive ageing. Our seniors possess a lifetime of wisdom, skills, and stories. By promoting active community participation, we ensure they remain vital parts of our social fabric and in co-creating our story. When we empower our seniors to lead, mentor, and volunteer, we transform the narrative of ageing into one of vitality, purpose and strength.

Collaborations and Partnerships

5. Today’s event is testament to what we can achieve when we work together.

6. Lions Befrienders and the National Environment Agency (NEA) have built a strong partnership over the years, collaborating across a range of programmes and initiatives. One meaningful example is how Lions Befrienders and your volunteers helped engage seniors on dengue prevention – distributing insect repellents and educational materials and empowering them with the knowledge to protect themselves and their families and friends from dengue.

7. More recently, Lions Befrienders has stepped up to support NEA to encourage recycling. The Beverage Container Return Scheme – or BCRS – was launched in April this year to reduce waste sent to our Semakau landfill and improve recycling rates in Singapore. Under this scheme, when you buy beverages in plastic or metal containers that carry a deposit mark, a 10-cent deposit is included in the price. To get that deposit back, you will need to return the empty containers through the Return Right Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) – those distinctive blue machines you may have spotted around your neighbourhood. We have over 1,000 islandwide, located at void decks, community parks and many other locations. In fact, we have one right here at today’s event, so I encourage everyone to give it a try later too.

8. The impact of BCRS is significant, as it is estimated to cover more than 1 billion beverage containers in Singapore each year, allowing us to give more than 16,000 tonnes of material a new lease of life.

9. As BCRS is still a rather new initiative, some residents may still be getting familiar with their refunds. There is also a need to educate the public, such as on how to use the RVMs and which containers can be recycled. This is why we are especially grateful to Lions Befrienders for partnering with NEA to help seniors at their Active Ageing Centres learn how to use these machines and recycle right – ensuring that no one gets left behind as we embrace new ways of living more sustainably.

10. And these types of partnerships – government agencies, community organisations and corporate partners – are built on the genuine, trusted relationships that have been nurtured over the years. Knowing that we can count on you to carry important messages on sustainability and a greener future gives us great confidence. We look forward to deepening this partnership and working hand in hand with Lions Befrienders towards a greener Singapore for all.

Conclusion

11. To all our volunteers – thank you for your unwavering dedication. You are the pillars of a caring and compassionate Singapore.

12. To everyone who has joined us for this event - today is an invitation to be a part of something bigger. I encourage you to explore the booths, interact with our seniors, and discover how you can pitch in and play a role.

13. Let us continue to build a sustainable, caring, and vibrant community together.

14. Have a wonderful day ahead.