Under the new Care & Share Movement, a fund-raising and volunteerism movement announced last month, the government will be matching donations to the social service sector. The objectives are to mobilise more resources to help the disadvantaged and to promote the spirit of giving among Singaporeans as we prepare to celebrate Singapore’s 50th birthday in 2015. The matching of eligible donations will take effect from 1 December 2013 and runs till end 2014.
Community Chest’s latest public education and fund-raising campaign, the first under the movement, will be launched on 29 November 2013 by Mr Chan Chun Sing, Minister for Social and Family Development, who is the Guest-of-Honour for the event.
New interactive mode of donation A unique feature of this campaign is the new interactive mode of donation directly through the advertisement billboards. For the first time, the public can use their EZ-Link card to tap on the billboard to donate $1 to Community Chest as they view the advertisements at any of the five designated SMRT stations – Orchard, Somerset, Tiong Bahru, Yishun and Bishan. At various stations island-wide, members of the public can also use their smart phones to scan the QR code on the posters to donate larger amounts via Community Chest’s website (comchest.sg).
Strong support from corporate partners The campaign would not be possible without strong support from corporate partners. One of the largest advertising firms in Singapore, Tribal Worldwide Singapore, has come on board to help Community Chest conceptualise and produce the advertisements for this campaign on a pro bono basis. The first of a planned four-part campaign will feature the hopes and dreams of children with special needs.
SMRT is another key partner in the campaign, generously sponsoring advertisement space at major MRT stations for the campaign and providing valuable technical advice on the implementation process. Support from many other organisations like the Land Transport Authority and EZ-Link are also crucial in helping Community Chest mount the campaign.
“SMRT is excited to collaborate with our long-time partner Community Chest, and identify new and innovative ways that Singaporeans can give back to society. We support the Care & Share Movement as part of our continued commitment to the social services, and are very happy to promote this programme in our transport network,” said Mr Patrick Nathan, Vice-President of Corporate Information and Communications for SMRT.
Encouraging Care & Share The year-long campaign aims to bring greater public awareness to the four causes supported by Community Chest. The four causes can be summed up in the word ‘CARE’ representing Children with special needs to reach their potential; Adults with disabilities to integrate into society; Relationships of families in difficulties to stay strong; and Elderly to age graciously in the community. Community Chest hopes that the campaign will encourage the community to care and share for the needy through their donations.
Front-runners in the Care & Share Movement BP de Silva Group of Companies is planning to organise a nation-wide orchid design competition next year. The winning design will be made into signature gold-plated accessories which BP de Silva’s signature jewellery brand RISIS is popularly known for. These accessories will then be used for fund-raising through multiple avenues, including sales by voluntary welfare organisation (VWOs) supported by Community Chest and corporate partners involved in the movement.
Besides corporate organisations, individuals have also been forthcoming when it comes to giving towards the less fortunate. Mdm Khoo Bee See will be donating $1 million to the movement and designating it to Assisi Hospice.
Call for participation from VWOs for the government matching grant In his speech at the launch of the public education and fund-raising campaign on 29 November 2013, Mr Chan strongly encouraged VWOs in the social service sector to participate in the movement. The grants are intended to help prepare VWOs and the sector build up their capability to serve social service needs in 2015 and beyond. They can be used to fund new programmes, staff training, development of new facilitities and investments in infocomm technology systems.
Mr Chan hoped that the matching grant will encourage corporate organisations and individuals to contribute to the sector. Beyond monetary donations, Mr Chan urged corporate organisations and individuals to amplify the spirit of the movement by contributing their time, talent and expertise towards helping the less fortunate.
To oversee and guide the movement, a Care & Share Committee has been formed. The committee is chaired by Mr Phillip Tan, Chairman of Community Chest, and comprises leaders from the community, private organisations and the public sector. Mr Chan thanked the members for their willingness to come forward to serve and be a part of this meaningful endeavour.
Press Statement by National Council of Social Service