IT IS BETTER TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE

2021 National Volunteer Week from 17 TO 23 May 2021 is the largest annual celebration of volunteers in Australiaand celebrates the significant contribution of Australia’s almost six million volunteers. Each year 600 million hours are dedicated by volunteers to help others.On 17 May 2021,Waverley Council recognised the efforts of TTNSW Junior players Alice and David Lee to help and inspire others. As inspiring young students, both Alice and David saw a need in their community and actively sought to make a difference in the past 5 years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alice and David identified the need of local communities such as aged-care centres, community centres, and sports clubs etc. and accessed surgical face masks to protect them from COVID-19. They raised funds and donated their own pocket money to provide several thousands surgical face masks to help the people in their community.

Alice and David donated surgical face masks to aged care centres and community centres during 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.

Shadow Assistant Minister for Financial Services, Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP met Alice and David on 15 July 2020 and commended them on their generous donation.

Alice and David have also donated their own pocket money and volunteered their time for different schools, table tennis clubs and events since 2015 including local club tournaments, state and national championships, and international championships etc.

Alice and David donated surgical face masks to aged care centres and community centres during 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.

On 16 July 2020, Ms Ashesh Gaire, Clinical Care Manager, Bupa Aged Care, said: ”I would like to personally thank you for your recent donation of Surgical Masks. Your willingness to make such a contribution at the time of COVID-19 situation has strengthened the spirits of our community. At this stage in time masks are more valuable than anything specially in a high risk places like aged care. Your contributions and thoughtful actions are praise worthy and our beloved vulnerable elderly residents express their gratitude. For all your efforts and contributions, please accept the thanks and appreciation of Bupa Queens Park family.”

Alice also worked as a volunteer for Salvation Army to raise funds in 2018 & 2019. Alice and David are outstanding students who find the time to give back to their community while completing their high school studies. They have a real passion for people and a string of successes and achievements under their belt.

Alice and David volunteered at the 2018 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Junior Table Tennis Championships and 2019 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Junior & Cadet Australian Open & Arafura Games.

On 20 May 2019, the Hon. Natasha Fyles MLA, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Minister for Health, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Arafura Games, Leader of Government Business, NT Government wrote letters to both Alice and David to thank their generous contribution of their time at international sports & events.

“I write to you today to pass on my heartfelt and personal thanks to you for being a volunteer in the 2019 Arafura Games. As one of more than 800 volunteer your efforts made these games fantastic and I sincerely thank you for your contribution. Thank you for your selfless commitment and for the generous donation of your time and efforts.”

TTNSW Director and State Junior Team Manager, Leonie Whiteford said:“TTNSW would like to thank David Lee, Alice Lee and their family to obtain sponsorship of PPE for surgical masks, sanitiser spray and instant hand sanitiser to support TNNSW.”

TTNSW Vice President, Ted Davis said “Alice and David are role-models for other junior players, and have demonstrated what a positive impact young people can have in the community and in the sports. They made an outstanding contribution to the community and table tennis,and they done this selflessly for the benefit of others and for the benefit of the community and table tennis.”

Alice and David said: “Giving is better than receiving. Let’s work together for table tennis and our communities. Everyone and every effort can make a difference.”

As Australia celebrates the outstanding contribution of volunteers to our sports and communities, TTA CEO Scott Houston sends a big thank you to TTA Volunteers across the country on 17 May 2021, and the details can be found from the following link: https://www.facebook.com/TableTennisAus/videos/142525594559219/