A total of $12 million was raised through Singapore Children’s Society’s 1000 Enterprises for Children-in-Need (1000E) and 1000 Philanthropists (1000P) programmes between 2020 and 2021, thanks to the efforts of their 3,284 participants.
Both programmes saw a rise in the number of participants, with 635 enterprises and 1,109 philanthropists in 2021, compared to 575 enterprises and 965 philanthropists in 2020.
Their contributions were recognised during the 1000 Enterprises for Children-in-Need and 1000 Philanthropists Appreciation Event 2022, held on 23 March in a hybrid format. Forty attendees attended a ceremony at PARKROYAL on Beach Road, while another 50 joined in virtually. Senior Minister Mr Teo Chee Hean, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security and Patron of the programmes, was the Guest-of-Honour.
In his speech, SM Teo pointed to the importance of Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWO) in complementing the Government in providing targeted care and support to groups and individuals who need it most.
In the case of Children’s Society, it involves Singapore’s most vulnerable children – making it an indispensable role “at the frontline”, says SM Teo. “Children represent our hope and our future. We want to do our best and ensure the well-being of each and every child, in particular those in need of care and protection. There are many policies and initiatives that the Government has introduced to improve the welfare of our children, but the Government cannot do everything on its own. Your efforts show the care and concern of members of our community,” he says.
The ceremony offered Children’s Society an opportunity to acknowledge the generosity of our donors, including individual donor Lim Han and his wife, Mdm Moon Jiyoung who donated $30,000 to the Society, mostly from what they received in their wedding hongbaos last year.
“We wanted to take the opportunity to spread the word about Singapore Children’s Society to our wedding guests, especially since we had already decided to start our own family. It worked out very well. Children’s Society is still a topic of discussion among our friends, who have also started contributing,” says Mr Lim Han.
Pre-recorded song and dance items by youth beneficiaries from JYC @ Children’s Society were screened before the end of the event.
More information on the 1000E and 1000P programmes can be found at www.1000e.org.sg and www.1000p.org.sg respectively.