Qassim Governor Honors Unaizah’s Friends of Patients Association with Inaugural Volunteer Work Award

His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Mishaal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Governor of the Qassim Region, has honored the Friends of Patients Association in Unaizah with the first edition of the Prince Faisal bin Mishaal Award for Volunteer Work, in the “Best Volunteer Opportunity Provider” category. The award was received by the association’s Executive Director, Basil bin Mohammed Aba Al-Khail.

“I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to His Royal Highness the Governor for honoring the association for its excellence in providing volunteer opportunities,” Aba Al-Khail said. “This recognition is a source of pride for all of us at the association, and a strong incentive to keep delivering distinguished work.”

He said the association runs several programs that ultimately serve patients, and that activating its volunteering department is among its most important efforts, in line with Saudi Vision 2030’s goal of reaching one million volunteers by 2030.

Maha bint Ibrahim Al-Oraini, Head of the Volunteering Department, described the award as a fitting crown for the department’s work.

“Volunteering today is no longer a luxury; it is institutional work governed by high standards set by the National Center for the Development of the Non-Profit Sector and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, which have created specialized platforms where volunteers can choose the opportunities that suit them,” she said.

Al-Oraini explained that the department plans its opportunities from the start of each season, across fields that match individual interests and serve the association’s needs. It then follows up on their delivery, in person or remotely, before preparing and evaluating volunteers, certifying volunteer hours and rewarding outstanding volunteers.

She added that the association also runs “Namaa,” an initiative that promotes a culture of volunteering. Through planned field visits to various sites and organizations, it highlights volunteering’s role in community development and opens channels of communication with the public.

Basil bin Mohammed Aba Al-Khail, Executive Director of the Friends of Patients Association in Unaizah, receives the Prince Faisal bin Mishaal Award for Volunteer Work from Qassim Governor Prince Dr. Faisal bin Mishaal.