SP Flag Day 2011

Last Thursday was SP’s Flag Day for the incoming 2011 freshmen! Although it’s been 2 years now, I can still remember my freshman Flag Day experience with my classmates. I don’t really remember who the participating organisation was (that year), but what I do remember was spending an entire day in the east, outside an MRT station, with my tin can asking for donations from the public.

It wasn’t my first Flag Day experience though, so I roughly knew how to approach people without being too aggressive. I don’t know about you, but I truly do enjoy doing Flag Day events. There’s something about having strangers coming up to you at their own will with some spare change (some even with notes that they’ve kept aside just for this reason) that makes standing under the humid weather so worthwhile. It’s great to know that despite the many mishaps going on in this world, there will always be people wanting to do good for their community.

This year wasn’t any different for the year 1s I’m sure. Having to wake up early and spend almost an entire day outdoors asking for donation definitely isn’t easy. You’ll have a myriad of encounters – there’s bound to be some unpleasant ones, but somehow, it’s the pleasant ones that override the previous negativity and remind you once again about the cause you’re supporting.

(Mercy Relief’s CEO, Mr Hassan Ahmad with SP’s Principal, Mr Tan Hang Cheong)

The freshmen this year raised funds for President’s Challenge and Mercy Relief – the funds raised would be used to help victims of the recent Japan disaster it would also go to help the various beneficiaries of the President’s Challenge. I’ve been told that this year’s cohort broke the record of amount of money raised, which is fantastic news, really.

It’s really heartwarming to know that they went all out for it, and even more heartwarming to know that Singaporeans are generous folk who, in whatever way we can, would always contribute to help the needy.

I hope next year’s batch hold the same spirit like this year’s batch did. Who knows, with every batch of freshmen that enter SP, we’ll keep breaking our own record for highest amount collected every year too.