This health supplements distributor goes the extra mile to take care of the vulnerable

Inside each care package are daily necessities - from noodles, milk and biscuits, to toiletries and essentials that have become even more important during the Covid-19 pandemic such as hand sanitiser, vitamins and health supplements.

In December 2021, some 3,000 of these Care and Share gift packs were distributed to low-income families and welfare organisations - helping to brighten the days and lessen the worries of vulnerable members of the community.

Through its participation in Mediacorp's Care and Share Programme, health supplements distributor JR Life Sciences - led by managing director Ong Chuan Aik, or Ricky as he is more known as - hopes to make a positive impact on the lives of people who need support, care and love.

"We distributed donation boxes with some daily necessities and Holistic Way health supplements to the needy. We are so grateful to have the opportunity to take part in this Care and Share Programme which helps us to identify and understand the groups of people that need help," Mr Ong shares.

The 61 year old is at the helm of JR Life Sciences, an Honouree in the Brands for Good 2021/2022 awards, under the Business For Good category.

Taking part in the Care and Share Programme is just one of the many ways Mr Ong leads his team to help those in need. When he started his business in 2007, he made sure that his company would bring value not only to its customers, but also to the community.

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Starting small with big dreams

Prior to setting up JR Life Sciences, Mr Ong worked with Cambert, a leading importer and distributor of health supplements and skincare products, where he worked his way up to become the country manager for Singapore.

He passionately recalls how he participated in Cambert's corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme, and how the experience inspired him to want to do more for the less fortunate.

"After I left the company, I started JR Life Sciences with a team of five people. Doing CSR has always been on my mind. This is what I want to do," he says.

Despite being a startup with limited funds and manpower, Mr Ong and his team started a CSR programme by pooling together funds from their own pockets.

"From there, the rest is history. Eventually, we allocated 1 per cent of our revenues to CSR," he adds, promising that as JR Life Sciences grows, its CSR allocation will also go up.

In 2008, the company set up the JR People Care Fund, which raises funds for over 20 groups comprising social service and diseases support organisations, nursing homes, religious organisations and underprivileged children support groups.

JR Life Sciences also partners with other non-profit organisations like Ageless Bicyclists, to which JR donated special bikes for autistic children and adaptive tricycles to help differently-abled persons cycle.

Focus on social value, not just profits

For Mr Ong, his business exists to create a better environment for all members of society: "It is important to shift the focus to social value creation instead of focusing solely on profits, to create a socially just space for communities to thrive and to improve the lives of our community, particularly vulnerable groups."

JR has over 100 products under its two flagship brands - JR Life Sciences and Holistic Way.

"JR's brand promise to its customers is to offer good quality products that are safe and wholesome for consumption. The brand caters to a wide range of people with different needs and hopes to serve every household in Singapore," says Mr Ong.

JR has seen its staff strength grow from only five in 2007 to more than 90 people, all of whom are committed to delivering quality products while taking care of the community.

Ultimately, Mr Ong believes that what goes around comes around. "Do good and the good will come back to you in unexpected ways," he quips.