by Daphne Ong
In a lively corner of Mount Alvernia Hospital, a much-anticipated yard sale was causing quite the buzz.
Long tables were filled with a variety of pre-loved items and many staff flocked to see what was in store. Ranging from household appliances, McDonalds’ viral Hello Kitty plushies from the 2010s, to an extensive crystal collection, the yard sale had something for everyone. Held in support of Go Green SG 2026, the yard sale encouraged hospital staff to give their pre-loved items a new purpose and hopefully, a new home.
Staff browsing through sale items, looking to give them a new home.
How It Started
The yard sale was inspired by conversations among colleagues who saw a shared opportunity to do something with their pre-loved items.
“As Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) ambassadors, through this event, we hope we can reduce waste and promote responsible consumption by giving pre-loved items a second life.” shared ESG chairman and organiser, Desmond Chan, Senior Manager of Facilities Management.
“We’ve always had this idea at the back of our minds,” added Wong Chiew Tee, Senior Nurse Clinician of the Intensive Care Unit and fellow ESG ambassador. “When we heard about Go Green SG, we thought: 'why not turn this into a proper yard sale’?”
An extensive collection of crystals and figurines was one of the highlights of the yard sale.
One standout project was cushion covers made from old curtains that had belonged to the hospital’s paediatric wards. This project was spearheaded by Kathy Chng, Assistant Director of Hospitality, Hospital Operations, with over 100 sets handmade exclusively for the yard sale! Each set was intricately measured and cut out to ensure the covers would come as identical sets of 4 designs.
Handmade cushion covers upcycled from old paediatric ward curtains.
Overwhelming Response
Before the main yard sale on 19 June, two presales were held earlier in the month, raising about $9,500 altogether. The proceeds from the sale will go towards patient care at Assisi Hospice, Mount Alvernia Hospital’s sister organisation. It’s a cause that holds special meaning for the team.
“We wanted to do something special for the patients, especially in those last few months of their lives,” said ESG ambassador, Amalia Castro Huab, Senior Executive of Quality Resource Management.
“It’s the first time we are doing this, and the response has been very positive. We hope it can become a recurring event,” shared Desmond. “Recycling is important because it helps conserve resources. As a small island, Singapore must do its part to reduce waste, especially as Pulau Semakau fills up rapidly.”
Mount Alvernia Hospital’s yard sale showed us how even small ideas can result in a big impact, for their staff, patients and the environment. If you were inspired by this, make choices to consume sustainably, and buy pre-loved items instead of new ones!
Thumbs up to the core team behind Mount Alvernia Hospital’s yard sale!
