Effort to help more than 28,000 less privileged children and young people in Singapore
More than $550,000 already raised through charity golf event
Singapore
, 11 August 2006 – Even as the fund-raising environment in Singapore becomes more challenging, Singapore Telecommunications Limited (Singtel) is committed to raise at least $2 million for the less privileged this year.
Now in its fifth year, the
Singtel Touching Lives Fund will support five children’s charities under the auspices of the National Council of Social Service (NCSS).
They are:
- APSN Tanglin School
- Autism Resource Centre – WeCan
- Fei Yue Community Services – eGen
- Singapore Children’s Society – Tinkle Friend
- Students Care Service
Together, these charities provide services that assist or reach out to more than 28,000 less privileged children and young people in Singapore.
Their programmes range from training and special education for those who are mildly or moderately intellectually challenged, to enabling programmes to help others with learning and emotive difficulties, as well as c
ounselling services through the telephone and Internet.
Mr Allen Lew, Singtel’s CEO Singapore and Chairman of the
Fund, said: “It is not easy for charities to raise funds on their own.
That is why it is important for corporate citizens to do our part to support their efforts.
“Singtel aims to raise at least $2 million for five charities.
Again, we appeal to the generosity of our partners, customers, employees and members of the public to help meet the needs of the less privileged in Singapore.”
Singtel will match dollar-for-dollar all outright donations from the public.
Every dollar donated and matched will go into the Fund.
Charity golf raises more than $550,000
Charity golf raises more than $550,000
The
Fund has already raised its biggest amount through a charity golf event which was held today.
The event involved 32 Singtel business partners who sponsored 36 flights of golf at the Laguna National Golf and Country Club.
Alcatel, DBS Bank, Ericsson, Motorola and ZTE
were among the companies that put in bids to tee-off with Singtel’s senior executives, led by Group CEO Mr Lee Hsien Yang.
The hole-in-one prize of a Lexus IS 250 was sponsored by Borneo Motors.
Charity begins at home
Singtel employees are also expected to play a big part in the fund-raising efforts this year.
An o
nline donation drive has been set up to make it easier for them to donate to the Fund. Singtel will give $2 to the Fund for every $1 donated via the online link by employees.
Singtel staff will also organise a one-day Food & Fun Carnival at Comcentre in October 2006 to raise funds.
Other fund-raising activities
Members of the public can help contribute to the
Fund through the following ways:
1. Fold-A-Heart (21 August – 1 September 2006):
- Fold an origami heart using a special red advertisement in the Today newspaper and drop the folded hearts into any post box island-wide
- Singtel will donate a dollar for every folded heart received
2. “Give-A-Heart” (26 – 27 August 2006, 11am – 7pm, Millenia Walk):
- Fold an origami heart using a special red advertisement in the Today newspaper and in 8Days and i-Weekly (24
th August edition)
- Donors can drop the folded hearts into any of the five boxes representing each charity
- Singtel will donate $1 for every folded heart collected
- The beneficiary that has the most folded hearts in its box at the end of the two-day event will receive an additional $10,000 donation from Singtel
3. Other donation programmes (until 30 October 2006):
a) Call 1900-112 8811 or dial *8111 (for Singtel mobile customers on their mobile phones only) to make a $5 donation.
Singtel will waive the 20-cent charge and no GST will be levied so that the full donation amount will go to charity. Singtel will match the $5 donation dollar-for-dollar.
b) Donations can also be made via UOB’s credit cards.
c) Crossed cheque donations can be made payable to ‘
Singtel Touching Lives Fund’ and mailed to 31 Exeter Road, #28-00 Comcentre, Singapore 239732.
These outright donations will enjoy double tax deduction and Singtel will match dollar-for-dollar the amount donated.
Since its launch in 2002, the
Singtel Touching Lives Fund has raised $8 million for various children’s charities.
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About Singtel Touching Lives Fund
The
Singtel Touching Lives Fund is Singtel’s annual corporate philanthropy programme to help the less privileged children and young people in Singapore.
It was launched in 2002 to consolidate the Group’s community support activities. Since the Fund’s launch, S$8 million has been raised for 18 charities under the auspices of the National Council of Social Service.
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Beneficiaries of Singtel Touching Lives Fund 2006
APSN Tanglin School
The school provides special education for children with mild intellectual disability.
Its special education programme provides education and training to equip the children with necessary skills, attitude and personality to lead normal independent lives in adulthood.
Autism Resource Centre – WeCan
The WeCan Programme is geared towards preparing young children with autism spectrum disorders for mainstream schools.
Student Care Services
Its ‘School Social Work’ programme helps students who face difficulties in their developmental process, socio-emotional development or in adjusting to their school life.
Another programme is the ‘Educational Psychological Service’ which focuses on diagnosis and intervention for mainstream school students who have difficulties and special needs. Student Care Service operates from three service centres in Clementi, Yishun and Hougang.
Fei Yue Community Services – eGen
eGen uses an integrated blog and e-counselling facility as well as a forum for youths to handle issues such as family problems, boy-girl relationships, suicidal thoughts and difficulties in schools.
Singapore
Children’s Society - Tinkle Friend
It offers a national toll-free helpline for primary school students to call when they feel distressed, lonely or afraid and need to talk to someone.
The helpline received more than 4,400 calls in 2005. Tinkle Friend’s activities also include talks and newsletters to primary schools to promote the helpline number and a Tinkle Friend Camp for character development and constructive use of time.
