50 young changemakers – bankers, lawyers, musicians and even bakers managed to raise about S$3.6 million over three months for the “50 for 50” charity drive aimed at changing the mindset that youths today do not care about the community.
The charity drive is also held to celebrate Singapore’s 50th Anniversary this year.
These “changemakers” who are all below the age of 35 were given a deadline of Dec 31, 2014 to raise as much they can for a charity of their choice.
Some of the fundraising activities included “Bowling with Special Olympics Singapore”, “Chicken Chop Party” for Autism Association Singapore, and a photography and prose exhibition for Very Special Arts Singapore.
The amount raised was then matched by 58 corporate partners. The combined amount from the changemakers and corporates will be equally matched by the Government’s Care & Share Movement. The money raised will be given to 50 charities that are part of the programme.
Parliamentary Secretary for Social and Family Development, and Culture, Community and Youth Low Yen Ling presented tokens of appreciation to the “changemakers” and corporate sponsors. She says the campaign speaks volumes of the youth’s commitment to build an inclusive society together.
“These youths are all under 35 and they’ve raised funds and awareness for charities in Singapore, and I think leveraging on social media, they can really reach a wider mass, a wider group of people,” Ms Rebekah Lin, co-founder of The Social Co.. “I think this is definitely a start to encourage people to leverage on their own creative skill sets, that they can just basically start with anything small.”
Source: CNA