Moorthy (far right) with a fellow CSC volunteer (in red), student volunteers from the Boys Brigade (in blue) and senior beneficiaries on a visit to Gardens by the Bay in 2012.
Bringing Cheer
And Joy To
The Community
Through
Volunteer Work
Contributed by City Developments Limited Principal Network and Systems Administrator Mr Moorthy.
Volunteering has been a very big part of my life. I joined CDL back in 2002, and joined City Sunshine Club (CSC), CDL’s employee volunteer arm, that same year, and come July, I’ll be starting my 21st year of volunteering!
Through the CSC, I had plenty of opportunities to befriend people from all walks of life and have many new experiences. The volunteering activities I take part in programmes with elderly and children, such as food distribution, befriending, celebrating festive occasions and bringing them out for special excursions.
Bringing some festive cheer to the seniors during the food distribution over the holiday season.
I have taken part in monthly food distributions at Indus Road and Chai Chee and have been regularly distributing food each month to the elderly at Telok Blangah Crescent for the past eight to ten years. These areas have many less fortunate elderly live in one-bedroom public housing flats. It has been such a rewarding experience being able to bring some cheer and comfort to the seniors when we visit. I have also forged a friendship with one of the seniors who has some mobility issues and is always present at home when I visit. While I don’t understand Mandarin and she doesn’t speak English, we manage to communicate with each other through simple gestures and she is always happy when I visit. There was a period where I was unable to help distribute food, and I heard from my colleagues that she was wondering where I was! It makes me feel happy that I’m able to help these seniors and bring them some happiness through our interactions.
Some other activities include bringing the elderly to watch Chinese Opera at the theatres. While I don’t understand the language, it was such an experience to enjoy the costumes, songs and acting, and seeing the joy it brought the seniors. Through the CSC, I also took part in an event where we helped to clean the seniors’ homes and paint their walls. It was heartening to see the elderly with their improved living space, and it was really a team effort!
Moorthy (standing, far right) helping to distribute food to hungry seniors after a day outing in 2007 visiting heritage areas around Singapore’s city centre. 
Plenty of laughs as the kids and Moorthy had fun with teambuilding and tactical games in November 2012 held at Safra Jurong's indoor playground Kids Amaze.
Through visits to the homes of low-income elderly, or single parents and their children, or cancer patients in hospices, it gives me the opportunity to understand the life difficulties they face in their daily activities and helps me be more compassionate.
Moorthy’s homemade Indian snacks that were specially prepared to raise funds for Assisi Hospice at the hospice’s annual charity event. 
Visitors at Assisi Hospice’s Assisi Fun Day charity event in 2019.
As CDL is a long-term supporter of the Assisi Hospice, I also took part in their annual charity event, making some Indian foods such as Vadai and Murukku to sell at the fundraiser. Even though it takes extra effort to prepare these foods, it gives me more strength and motivation to do even more when these items sell out and people are enjoying it! I must also thank my wife for helping out in the preparation too!
I also really enjoyed the time spent with children beneficiaries as we did excursions to places like Underwater World, National Library, Singapore Science Centre and even overnight stays at the Bird Park. It was very exciting to see the children have so much fun and to interact with them while they visited these places, or even more simple outings and activities like movies and workshops!
A group photo of Moorthy with CSC volunteers (in yellow) and children beneficiaries after an outing to the Yacht Club in Sembawang in 2007. 
Moorthy using his origami skills to help the kids out at an event organised by CSC in 2015.
I’m very thankful to have the opportunity to give my time and enrich the lives of these beneficiaries and have these special life experiences. I would love to continue serving the community through the CSC, and would encourage everyone to volunteer if they are able to! 
