SATS Giving Week: How SATS employees make giving back possible
We run round-the-clock operations at airports around the world. During hectic periods like school breaks and the holidays, our colleagues deal with peak demand. But even though we’re all about operational efficiency, we also take time to encourage employees to make a meaningful impact on the community.
SATS Team at the 12th Community Chest Fú Dài, where prosperity bags are packed and delivered to seniors and low-income families in Singapore
SATS Giving Week
In December each year, employees in Singapore come together for SATS Giving Week, a key part of our corporate social responsibility for years now. This initiative is led by the SATS Staff Association and SATS Foundation, both run by staff volunteers, to empower employees to give back to the community.
SATS Giving Week evolves annually, with different activities and various partner organisations, but its objective remains—sharing, fostering volunteerism, and strengthening connections.
Employees could participate in the SATS Giving Week in three meaningful ways: share food with underprivileged families, donate funds to selected non-profit organisations, or set aside time to do volunteer work. These outlets let employees give back in a way that works best for them.
Giving food
Collection points were placed in various offices so employees could drop off their food donations
SATS actively partners with Food from the Heart, a nonprofit committed to reducing food insecurity in Singapore. Every month, our staff volunteers pack goodie bags for recipient families.
During SATS Giving Week, employees who couldn’t volunteer in person still had a way to share by donating essential food items like rice, cooking oil, canned goods, and instant beverages. We set up collection points across SATS locations, making it easy for everyone to drop off properly sealed items with at least three months of shelf life. These donations were then sent to Food from the Heart’s warehouse for sorting and packing.
Additionally, SATS maintains a longstanding partnership with Arc Children’s Centre, a charity centre that acts as a haven for children aged 3 to 18 battling cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Since 2011, our chefs and cooks have been providing meals for children in the centre.
Giving money
Employees also contributed financially by donating to various non-profit organisations, including Food from the Heart, Arc Children’s Centre, Assumption Pathway School, and Pathlight School Tampines.
Assumption Pathway School provides opportunities for students who cannot access secondary education, and SATS has been one of its proud supporters since 2009. In 2019, we helped over 190 students with financial assistance to pursue vocational food and beverage certifications. We also opened our kitchens for their educational workshops and student placements, giving them hands-on experience in the industry.
At Pathlight School, around 150 students train in SATS’ kitchens each year, preparing them for future employment. Established by the Autism Resource Centre (Singapore), the school provides education for children on the autism spectrum. Recently, SATS donated S$200,000 to help set up an Asian-Western Training Culinary Studio at Pathlight’s Tampines campus.
.jpg?sfvrsn=a30e9d62_1 "MOU-Signing-SATS-and-Autism-Resource-Centre")
MOU signing between SATS and Pathlight School/Autism Resource Centre (Singapore)
Donations to these organisations aid them in driving impact on the communities, and employees at SATS are proud to take part in the initiative with whatever amount they can share.
Giving time
.jpg?sfvrsn=8dc2b614_0 "SATS-Volunteers-at-Food-From-The-Heart")
Volunteers sorted and packed community food packs for Food from the Heart’s recipient families
Beyond monetary and food contributions, employees also volunteered their time to help in activities that support our partner organisations, for example, Food from the Heart, where we sign up to volunteer each month to check food expiry dates, sort donations, and pack food bundles for families in need.
In 2023, volunteers participated in the first Arc Children’s Centre Christmas Family Celebration with over 40 families. They gave the children thoughtful gifts and enjoyed a day of fun playing with the kids and listening to their laughter.
Volunteers took time to give gifts and play with the kids for the Arc Children’s Centre Christmas Family Celebration
Watch: Gifts of Love Initiative with SATS
While SATS Giving Week is most popular in December, employees at SATS know that giving does not have to choose a season. Employees can volunteer or donate year-round through SATS Staff Association and SATS Foundation initiatives. One thing is certain—generosity runs deep within the SATS Group.