Saturday, 29 June 2024 – Singapore Children’s Society honoured a total of 64 outstanding volunteers and donors at its yearly awards presentation. Held at the Orchard Hotel, recipients received their awards from President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Children’s Society’s Patron-in-Chief and Guest of Honour for the event, as well as Chief Executive Officer Ms Ang Boon Min.
Two of Children’s Society’s long-time volunteers, Mr Steven Liew and Mr David Setiawan received the Gold Service Award and Silver Service Award respectively. Dedicated volunteers with Sunbeam Place @ Children’s Society, Mr Liew and Mr Setiawan are dependable figures who have made a positive impact on the residents through the care and guidance that they provided over the years.
Mr Liew’s journey with Children’s Society began in 1982 when Sunbeam Place was known as the Convalescent Home. As an avid photographer, he helped capture the residents’ special moments during outings. He would also accompany the residents on field trips or spend time with them playing games and watching movies. Mr Liew has involved his family in his volunteering activities and continues to offer his assistance for various Children’s Society and Sunbeam Place events.
Mr Setiawan consistently gives back to the community through various volunteering initiatives. As a befriender at Sunbeam Place, he would meet and check in regularly with the residents that he has been paired with to ensure that they are doing well. In charge of organising staff volunteering activities at his workplace, he also collaborated with Sunbeam Place on corporate social responsibility efforts that included arranging excursions for the residents and fulfilling their Christmas gift wishes.
Since 1982, the Awards is an annual affair that pays tribute to individuals and organisations who have volunteered with or donated to Children’s Society. The conferred awards serve as a recognition of their exemplary contributions and dedication to making a profound difference in the lives of those that Children’s Society serves.
A key accolade, the Gopal Haridas Award went to The Late Mr Chew Lye Hoe, Tote Board and Gartner Advisory (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. The Gopal Haridas Award is awarded to an individual, group or organisation who has raised a significant amount of funds or made donations to Children’s Society in the preceding year.
The award categories presented this year include the Gopal Haridas Award, Platinum Award, Platinum Service Award, Gold Award, Gold Service Award, Silver Award, Silver Service Award and Commendation Award. The awards are accorded based on the length of volunteer service rendered and amount raised or donated.
About Singapore Children’s Society
Singapore Children’s Society protects and nurtures children and youth of all races and religions. In 2023, the Society reached out to 18,115 children, youth and families in need. Established in 1952, its services have evolved to meet the changing needs of children. Today, Children’s Society operates more than 10 service centres islandwide, offering services in the four categories of: Vulnerable Children and Youth, Children and Youth Services, Family Services, and Research and Advocacy.
The charity’s Patron-in-Chief is President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, President of the Republic of Singapore.