Helping people in need is one of the things that make Singapore a better place, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said. He added that the country has succeeded over the years because the Government, businesses and the people have worked well together.
Mr Teo was speaking at the Singapore Children’s Society charity gala dinner on Friday (Nov 28).
The society raised nearly S$1 million with the help of 600 donors at the dinner. Artworks, timepieces and jewellery were also auctioned off. Among them were three paintings by Singaporean artist Olga Polunin. Ms Polunin’s father, Dr Ivan Polunin, had been a long-time volunteer with the society – from 1966 until he died in 2010.
The money will be used to fund the society’s programmes which benefit more than 72,000 children and youths as well as their families.
Mr Teo noted that many of the donors are from small- and medium-sized enterprises, and said he is heartened by their generosity despite having to cope with rising business costs.
“For all the recipients who benefit from the Singapore Children’s Society’s programmes, it is important for them to know that the programmes that they have received and that they benefit from are possible because fellow Singaporeans have helped to make these programmes possible,” said Mr Teo.
Source: CNA