Give back & gain more with ANZA Action

From our sports and interest groups, events and meet-ups, ANZA is an association that would not exist without volunteers. ANZA Action is our community affairs arm, supporting charities in Singapore through fundraising and volunteering activities. Getting involved is not only a great way to give back to our adopted home and integrate into the local community, but it also provides a wealth of positive benefits to those who take part, too.

Friends, connections, contacts
Whether you have a busy life with lots of face-to-face interaction, or you’re looking to expand your circle, volunteering is a fantastic way to meet like-minded people. The awesome thing is, like-minded doesn’t mean having a similar background. Many expats admit that they feel disconnected from the local community in Singapore, and volunteering can be a great way to become more involved.

Left: ANZA member Virginia Soh recieves a 20-Year Long Service Award for her dedication to Family Support Services from the Salvation Army. Right: Coney Island Beach Clean up

Increased wellbeing
The mental and physical benefits of altruism are well-documented – in short, helping others is good for you! Your emotional health, in particular, benefits from rolling up your sleeves and getting involved with assisting others.

Depth & breadth of life experience
Maybe it’s offering to become a parent volunteer at ANZA Netball, or setting up a new Unicycle Riding interest group within the community (anyone?!). Perhaps it’s going out of your comfort zone and diving into an area you know little about, but you can see help is needed. Stepping off the sidelines and into the fray might take a bit of courage, but it will always reward you with new experiences (and anecdotes!).

Left: Salvo’s outing at the Cloud Forest, Gardens by the Bay. Right: Delivering food parcels

Setting a good example
Volunteering is a great way to set an example to the young ‘uns and practice what you preach! If you’re tired of a 20-minute battle every time your child wants you to do something, it can be handy to explain that you have other commitments to attend to – like giving up half of your Saturday to take them to ANZA Soccer, or helping at Riding for the Disabled (RDA).

Left: Helping out at Melrose Home. Right: Hair for Hope

Camaraderie & recognition
We may feel shy admitting it, but it does feel wonderful when people take the time to thank you for what you do, or extend social invitations as a token of appreciation.
The first very easy step to getting involved with ANZA Action’s charitable opportunities is just getting in touch. Drop us an email at [email protected], and we’ll help you find a starting point you’re comfortable with. You never know, it may well be an ANZA volunteer replying to your message.

Spotlight on Sandbag
If you, or someone you know, used to wear a uniform for a living, you’ll want to know about Sandbag! A Singapore-registered society, Sandbag is aimed primarily at ex-military personnel, law enforcement, and emergency services professionals.
Sandbag is a very inclusive environment, and individuals from outside these fields are welcome to join as associate members. The society is also quite unique as it welcomes both Singaporean and international members.

Who are Sandbag?
Founded in 2009 by two British ex-military officers whose new jobs had posted them abroad, Sandbag aims to build community around its three core values of comradeship, service, and support. The name derives from the expression ‘pull up a sandbag’, meaning to grab a seat and have a chat.

What do they do?
Sandbag engage in a range of social activities, including regular fitness and wellness sessions, golf, quizzes, and a monthly ‘muster’ get-together at sponsor, The Penny Black. Fundraising activities usually support local or veterans’ charities. They also provide a framework for promoting businesses owned by veterans, Vetcham.

What can we look forward to?
Their big event this year is the Victory Ball to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the end of WW2. This will be held at the Fullerton Hotel on 6 September, 2025 and is 1940s-themed black-tie. For more info on Sandbag email [email protected]