Dubai: The Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) can offer rewards of a spiritual kind too with bargain hunters and charities saying many people feel like giving back in the month-long bonanza.
While cash registers keep ringing in the DSF purchases, donations too are apparently pouring in.
“If I don’t give charity in DSF – while enjoying all my new buys – I feel a little guilty. Anytime is a great time to give back, so why not do something for others while you reward yourself with new shopping?” said a 33-year-old Indian media professional from Sharjah.
Another resident, Emirati engineer Ali Rashid, added: “You tend to think about those who can’t afford shopping even with DSF going on, about how they feel when they see so many people buying new things.
“If everyone helps out by a little bit, it quickly adds up to a lot. This way, many others will be able to buy what they actually need, not just what they want.”
Shoppers told Gulf News it’s easier to keep aside money for charity during DSF sales and savings.
“You get something for cheaper, so you can give away a little from the price difference. There are also a lot of accessories given out in package deals – I know people give them out as gifts to family and friends,” a Pakistani shopper said, declining to give his name.
“Sending new clothes and electronics back home to your family is also a kind of charitable good deed if you ask me.”
In another development, one DSF gold raffle winner donated thousands of dirhams for children’s education in India to show gratitude for his windfall, he said.
Meanwhile, Dubai Cares, which is helping secure primary education for millions of children, is confident its new donations’ drive will be well received – not least because of DSF.
Abdullah Al Shehi, Senior Fundraising Specialist, Dubai Cares, told Gulf News: “Dubai Shopping Festival is a retail celebration that brings a plethora of discounts, competitions, prizes, etc. It is a great occasion that enables people to find joy in what Dubai has to offer. In the same spirit, people are becoming more and more aware of the importance of donating to the less fortunate and the consequent joy that this noble act generates.”
Recently, Dubai Cares has developed a PoS (Point of Sale) item for display at all cash registers in participating retail outlets, with shoppers asked if they would like to add Dh5 or more to their final bill for Dubai Cares’ projects.
Al Shehi added: “With the help of the UAE community, we are confident that the campaign will generate enough funds to give access to quality education to a large number of primary-aged school children in developing countries. Every dirham, going towards educating a child, counts.”
“We expect this campaign to be a success among UAE residents and visitors alike. The selected outlets play a key role in encouraging customers to donate. We are confident that the right partners have been selected this year based on their eagerness to invest both time and effort in training their retail staff to proactively promote the campaign among their customers,” he said.
“Moreover, the UAE community is characterized by possessing a positive attitude towards supporting social causes. We are however urging the community to donate more this year, as their support will help us achieve a greater impact in our primary education programs among disadvantaged communities.
“Today, 69 million children around the world do not go to school. With your support, Dubai Cares can provide underprivileged children access to quality primary education.”
