TAIF: The Voluntary Work Association in Taif has put its Ramadan plans in place, the Saudi Press Agency reported, including the distribution of food baskets and organizing iftar events. The association has carried out more than 55 activities since its founding last year and was set up to foster the spirit of volunteering “Since its inception a year ago, the association has accomplished much and carried out more than 55 programs and events in all departments and sections, including charity, community and organizational programs,” said Jamal Al-Rabihi, the association’s president. “The association has proven itself as a successful and effective partner in all the grand events it has engaged with, such as the ceremonies of National Day, the Souq Okaz Festival, the Flower Festival, Ramadan and other important occasions in our country.” Al-Rabihi said the association was a voluntary and non-profit organization that aimed to promote and develop the concept of voluntary work, as well as nurture a love of volunteering in the hearts of men and women, to serve the nation and Islam. The association’s work also contributes to the Saudi Vision 2030 reform plan, which aims to recruit a million volunteers by 2030. The association has different departments, including specialist ones such as medical affairs, sports, culture and media. Men and women form the teams and there are more than 40 teams working across different fields and specializations. Fatima Al-Juaied, from the events and programs department, highlighted some of the association’s most important achievements. “One of the association’s most important charity programs is the longest iftar table, measuring 1,600 meters in length, for those fasting on behalf of servicemen killed in the line of duty. There is also a program through which the association provided high-end buses for those who cannot perform Umrah due to various circumstances.” Some of the most important community programs were those with a patriotic flavor, such as National Day celebrations, she added. There were more than 1,000 volunteers at the Taif Flower Festival, she said, and the association carried out more than 17 programs in 10 days, including managing crowds at different exhibitions.