Singtel to raise more than $2 million for Singtel Touching Lives Fund in 2009
Fund raising activities kick off today with Charity Golf which raised about $650,000
Singapore, 28 August 2009 – Singapore Telecommunications Limited (Singtel) today announced its commitment to raise more than $2 million for Singtel Touching Lives Fund (STLF) in 2009.
STLF is Singtel’s philanthropy vehicle in Singapore and the main thrust of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme. The Fund raises donations for less privileged children and young people by engaging Singtel’s corporate customers, associates, employees and the general public.
Now in its eighth year, STLF 2009 will support five beneficiaries under the auspices of the National Council of Social Service (NCSS). These are: APSN Tanglin School, AWWA Early Years Centre, MINDS Lee Kong Chian Gardens School, Singapore Cancer Society and Student Care Services.
Together, these charities reach out to children and youths with programmes such as training and special education to meet the needs of those who are intellectually or physically challenged; school social work and counselling programmes that help youths from families facing problems or those with learning difficulties. The fund will also contribute $200,000 to launch the “Singapore Cancer Society Help the Children and Youth” programme. This initiative seeks to meet the needs of young cancer patients and their families.
Ms Chua Sock Koong, Singtel’s Group Chief Executive Officer, said: "Despite the economic downturn, the Singtel Touching Lives Fund is committed to helping less privileged children and young people in our society.
"Charities face an uphill task in raising funds on their own. That is why it is vital for the business community to do its part to support their efforts. We are confident with the generosity of our partners, customers, employees and members of the public, the less privileged will continue to receive the help they need.”
Kicking off the STLF 2009 campaign is Singtel Charity Golf held today at the Laguna National Golf and Country Club. The annual event attracted more than 120 Singtel business partners and associates who sponsored 36 flights of golf, raising about $650,000 for the Fund. Companies including Ericsson Telecommunications, Huawei and Nokia Siemens Networks teed-off together with Singtel’s senior executives. This year, the event is also supported by Singtel’s associates – AIS, Globe, PBTL and Telkomsel.
Contributions from Singtel employees
Singtel employees will continue to play a significant role in the fund-raising efforts for STLF this year. A donation link has been set up in Singtel’s Intranet for staff to make one-off donations, which will be deducted through payroll. Singtel will match every dollar donated via the link.
About 180 Singtel employees and management members participated in the inaugural Singtel-Singapore Cancer Society 2009 Race Against Cancer event on 23 August 2009. Staff also volunteered to prepare goodie bags and manned roadshows to get participants for the run. Other than providing the charities with the funds to implement their programmes, the company will be looking out for volunteering opportunities for staff.
Other fund-raising activities
1) Singtel Fold-A-Heart – Fold an origami heart using a special red advertisement in Today newspaper and drop the folded hearts into any postbox island-wide. Singtel will donate $1 for every folded heart received.
2) Donation hotlines – Donation hotlines (1900 112 8811 and *8111) are opened until December for the public to make donations to STLF. Each call is a $5 donation. Singtel will waive the $0.20 charge and no GST will be levied so that the full donation will go to charity.
3) Crossed cheque donations can be made payable to ‘Singtel Touching Lives Fund’ and mailed to: Corporate Communications Division, 31 Exeter Road, #19-00 Comcentre, Singapore 239732.
These outright donations will enjoy tax deductions.
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. The Fund has since raised about S$15 million for 19 charities under the auspices of the National Council of Social Service.
Beneficiaries of Singtel Touching Lives Fund 2009
- Junior Programme for 7 to 12 years old. The programme expands on the skills taught in pre-school programme to equip students with basic foundation in independence and employment skills.
- Senior Programme for 13 to 18 years old. The programme focuses on employment and vocational skills to prepare the students.
- Special programme for 5 to 18 years old, catering to the educational needs of the low ability students.
Singapore Cancer Society (SCS)
- financial assistance to needy cancer stricken patients and their families
- support for cancer survivors
- rehabilitation care for patients receiving treatment
- home medical care for terminally ill cancer patients
Students Care Service
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