Launched in 2011 and now into its 5th year, ChariTrees @ Marina Bay is a valuable platform for companies to express their corporate social responsibility during the festive season.
ChariTrees @ Marina Bay is a unique and exclusive fundraising initiative by Community Chest and TOUCH Community Services, in collaboration with Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) to raise funds for the less fortunate.
TOUCH Community Services is a not-for-profit charitable organisation, dedicated to meeting the needs of children from low-income or single-parent families, youths-at-risk, needy families, people with special and healthcare needs, and the frail elderly. Through its network of 17 services, as well as an international arm, TOUCH is committed to serving people of all ages, races, religions and backgrounds. Each year, its programmes and services meet the needs of more than 29,000 clients and 156,000 service users.
For over 30 years, Community Chest has been engaging the community to support people in need through fund-raising and volunteering. Community Chest supports more than 80 charities in Singapore, allowing them to focus on caring for the less fortunate. As Community Chest’s fund-raising and operating costs are covered mainly by Tote Board and Singapore Pools, every dollar you donate will help:
To make a difference, visit comchest.sg.
Care & Share is a national fund-raising and volunteerism movement led by Community Chest for the social service sector, in celebration of SG50 this year. It aims to bring our nation together to show care and concern for the less fortunate, and recognise the contributions made by voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs). Eligible donations raised by Community Chest and participating VWOs from now till 31 March 2016 will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Government. The matched amount will go towards building the capabilities and capacities of the social service sector and supporting social services to meet rising needs.
To contribute to this Movement, please visit careandshare.sg or email to csm@ncss.gov.sg.
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) is Singapore's national land use planning and conservation agency. URA's mission is "to make Singapore a great city to live, work and play". We strive to create a vibrant and sustainable city of distinction by planning and facilitating Singapore's physical development in partnership with the community.
As the main land sales agent for the State, our multifaceted engagement strategy includes the sale of State land to attract and channel private capital investment to develop sites for meeting our land use needs. As the place manager for Marina Bay, we promote exciting activities within Marina Bay in collaboration with other government agencies and private stakeholders. To create an exciting cityscape, URA also actively promotes architecture and urban design excellence. For more information, please visit us at www.ura.gov.sg.
A total of 30 ChariTrees featuring inspiring family stories will line the Marina Bay waterfront promenade for six weeks from today, enchanting visitors as they soak up the year-end festivities. Guest-of-Honour, Dr Lily Neo, Member of Parliament for Jalan Besar GRC, officiated the Light-Up Ceremony today.
Jointly organised by TOUCH Community Services, Community Chest and the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) for the 5th year, ChariTrees @ Marina Bay 2015 celebrates the tenacity and resilience of families, as well as creates greater awareness about the needs of disadvantaged families cared for by charities under Community Chest and TOUCH. Having raised around $200,000 this year donated by 16 corporate partners and individuals through adoption of the trees and donations, the fundraiser embodies the spirit of giving among members of the public during the festive season.
Mr Eugene Seow, Executive Director of TOUCH Community Services, said, “This year’s ChariTrees @ Marina Bay light-up is truly special because each tree tells the story of families who have been impacted by setbacks. Through the touching experiences of these families, we hope that visitors to ChariTrees @ Marina Bay will be inspired by the resilience and determination of the families to overcome challenges and to rise above their circumstances. As SG50 draws to a close, we are very glad that the importance of family is highlighted through this event because the work to strengthen families will continue to be an important pillar for Singapore as she pursues her dreams for SG100.”
An inspirational example is Mdm Chua Kwee Lan, who was bedridden for 14 years after a fall. Since the fall, she has been afraid to get out of her bed, compromising on quality family time outdoors. With perseverance and physiotherapy sessions, she eventually overcame her phobia of going outdoors and is now able to spend more time with her family and attend community gatherings. TOUCH Home Care was also pivotal in providing home care services and encouragement to Mdm Chua and her family.
Another uplifting story of resilience is about Mr Leo Kok Ong, who is the sole caregiver to his intellectually challenged wife and his son with cerebral palsy. Having to care for both his wife and son alone, coupled with the piling medical bills, has put a constant strain on his finances. His struggle was eased through counselling sessions, financial assistance, food rations and intervention for his son’s condition provided by Fei Yue Family Service Centre, a Community Chest charity. In spite of the difficulties, the Leo family has persevered with support from the community and is now able to see an improvement in their lives. More stories of beneficiaries can be found in Annex A [PDF, 74kb].
Mr Tan Puay Kern, Chairman of the ChariTrees @ Marina Bay 2015 Organising Committee and Vice-Chairman of Community Chest, said, “Community Chest is extremely pleased to work with our supported charity, TOUCH Community Services, to run this meaningful project for the first time. We hope to share our knowledge of fund-raising and engagement through such collaborations so that our supported charities will be able to strengthen their fund-raising capabilities. Together, we can mobilise our resources to achieve better outcomes for our beneficiaries.”
Prior to the Light-Up Ceremony on 20 November, staff volunteers from donors –Arrowcrest Technologies Pte Ltd, State Street Singapore, DBS Bank and POSB – decorated the trees together with Community Chest’s beneficiaries.
With the extension of the government matching grant under the Care & Share Movement for SG50 till the end of March 2016, donations from the partners will be doubled. The matched amount will go towards building the capabilities and capacities of the social service sector.
Mr Ng Lang, Chief Executive Officer of URA, said, “It is heartening to see the community and corporate donors come together to contribute towards a meaningful cause. On top of raising funds for charity, the ChariTrees also bring a festive cheer to the Marina Bay waterfront promenade that we hope the public will enjoy. Marina Bay is a place for our community and this project is a good testament of this ideal.”
ChariTrees @ Marina Bay was first held in 2011 as an initiative to remind the community of the needy as we celebrate the festive season. To date, the initiative has raised some $1.3 million. ChariTrees will be lit from 20 November to 27 December 2015 nightly from 7 pm.