Dear everyone
The Online Citizen (TOC) website was shut down yesterday and earlier today. This was due to some system overload issues with our host. We have temporarily rectified the problem and are looking into preventing this from happening again.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank everyone who expressed their concern to us through emails, smses and phone calls. We also thank you for your patience.
On a happier note, 11 TOC members and friends were at Old Airport Road on Christmas Eve afternoon to distribute some Christmas gifts to the residents of the rental flats there. We gave out 100 gift packs (foodstuff for adults and toys for children) bought with a $2,000 donation from our own members and friends.
It was indeed a humbling experience for everyone involved.
Finally, TOC would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year.
Regards,
Andrew Loh
HELP keep the voice of TOC alive!
If you like this article, please consider a small donation to help theonlinecitizen.com stay alive. Please note that we can only accept donations from Singaporeans. Thank you for your assistance.Do you have a flair for writing? Volunteer with us. Email us your full name and contact details to theonlinecitizen@gmail.com
Hi All
Sorry for MIA these few days as I do not have ready access to internet and only log in whenever possible.
I was also distracted by my bro in law wedding over the weekend.
The gift give away was a good start for many who were new to this initiative. It was my thirdt attempt at giving gifts to the poor and out during Christmas eve. Frankly not many people are warm to such an idea sadly.
I hope that the CNY 2009 gift away will be a special one for many in TOC. I hope also that someone will take the lead here to do something for the poor and underpriviledged.
I did it once with my family and another time alone – all during Christmas eve few years back. I subscribed to the ideal that Christmas should involve giving unconditionally. In Singapore whereby everything comes at a cost, when one received a gift FOC their faces sparkle and this is enough to make my day.
However, it was tough getting people involved especially when many are out on holiday or shopping for gifts. Nevertheless, some chipped in money instead.
When I opened up to TOC I was surprised that so many are kind enough to help out as I may be the only one or two persons that could make it on that day. Thanks TOC! I believe that besides talking openly about politics, we should sometiems walk the talk ourselves.
Nothing beat the experience of seeing happy faces on that day when they received nicely wrapped presents by the team members It was certainly a day that is worth all the efforts made.