TREATS FOR NSMEN AND FAMILIES AS SAFRA MARKS 40TH ANNIVERSARY

10, 20, 30, 40. These are the numbers to remember as the SAFRA National Service Association celebrates 40 years of forging bonds among Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) and their families.

In the coming eight months, there will be 10 blockbuster movie screenings, 20 celebratory events, a photo contest with 30 winners picked monthly on the SAFRA Facebook page, and 40 special shopping deals for SAFRA members every month, to mark this milestone.

More than 1,000 NSmen and their families turned up for 'Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted' - the first of the movie screenings - as SAFRA launched its 40th anniversary celebrations on 9 Jun, at the Shaw Theatres LIDO.

Officiating at the launch, Minister of State for Defence and Education Lawrence Wong, who is also President of SAFRA, said: "In these 40 years, SAFRA has come a long way. Even as we continue to evolve SAFRA, we will stick to our core mission of giving back to our NSmen, recognising their contributions to make SAFRA a special and cherished place for our NSmen and their families."

Brigadier-General (BG) Perry Lim, Vice President of SAFRA and Chairman of the organising committee for the SAFRA 40 celebrations promised "a slew of activities and treats to engage NSmen according to their lifestyle preferences." He hoped that NSmen would take the opportunity, through these activities which range from fun and entertainment for young NSmen, to fitness and adventure or family bonding for those with children, "to meet up, interact and bond with each other".

Said Mr Gaston Teo, who watched the movie with his son: "SAFRA is a place to catch up with NS mates. I always bump into them at the clubhouses!" A former Singapore Armed Forces Regular, Mr Teo has been a SAFRA member for over 10 years.

Besides special events like the movie screenings, NSmen can look forward to four big parties in July, September, November and December. The biggest of the four will be the SAFRA 40th Anniversary Bash in November, where organisers are expecting a 3,000-strong crowd of NSmen and their friends. Look out for the $4, $40 and 40 percent off promotions at some of these parties!

Sports-crazy members can enjoy football tournaments and screenings of the European Football Championship at the SAFRA Tampines Clubhouse. They can also participate in fitness activities such as the SAFRA 40,000m Challenge where NSmen will work together to climb a total of 40,000m over six days, to raise funds for charity.

Staple events like the SAFRA Singapore Bay Run and Army Half Marathon will see the addition of a new Fortifying Bonds Team Challenge category, to encourage NSmen to team up with family and friends and train together for the events.

NSmen who participate in any of these events will stand a chance to win 30 prizes each month in the SAFRA 40 Photo Contest by uploading a photo of themselves having fun on SAFRA's official Facebook page. Special shopping treats also await SAFRA members at popular food and beverage outlets and retail shops, with 40 of such deals every month.

Set up in 1972, SAFRA had its first clubhouse at the former premises of the Norwegian Seamen's Mission Home at Prince Edward Lane. Three years later, its first permanent clubhouse at Toa Payoh was built.

Today, there are five SAFRA clubhouses spread across Singapore, with an additional clubhouse in Punggol which will be ready by 2015. The Toa Payoh clubhouse, currently undergoing redevelopment, will re-open its doors this September.

For more details on the SAFRA 40th anniversary celebration activities, visit www.safra.sg or log on to their Facebook page.