Monday, 25 October 2021 – An annual affair since 1982, the Singapore Children’s Society Awards 2021, will be held on 30 October 2021 and pays tribute to volunteers and donors, who, through their commitment and philanthropic efforts, have made a significant difference in the lives of the beneficiaries under the organisation’s care.

With the postponement of our awards presentation last year due to COVID-19, we will honour 74 outstanding individuals and corporates in this year’s award presentation, for their dedicated service and generous donations in years 2020 and 2021. This year, the event adopts a hybrid format, where the awards presentation at PARKROYAL on Beach Road, Singapore shall be broadcasted live over zoom. More than 20 volunteers and donors will be receiving their awards from President Halimah Yacob, who is our Guest-of-Honour for the event, and joined by Chairman of Singapore Children’s Society Mr Koh Choon Hui.

Top accolade for volunteers – Ruth Wong Award

We will be presenting the prestigious Ruth Wong Award 2020 to Captain Suresh Menon and the Ruth Wong Award 2021 to Dr Tan Seok Hui. The Ruth Wong Award is created to honour outstanding volunteers who have served Children’s Society for at least ten years.

Captain Suresh Menon, representing Air Line Pilots Association – Singapore (ALPA-S), joined the Society as a member of the Children In Care Standing Committee (formerly known as Convalescent Home Standing Committee) in 1997. He became a nominated member of the Board in 2015 and has been a member of the Board since 2016. He was the Vice Chairperson of Children In Care Standing Committee from 2016 to April 2021 and is now its Chairperson.

Together with his associates at ALPA-S, Captain Suresh Menon has organised various fundraising projects, as well as a variety of activities and excursions for residents at Sunbeam Place @ Children’s Society, our residential home for abused and neglected children. From encouraging an individual child to think about his future aspirations to contributing to developing Home policies, he never fails to extend his care and concern towards both children and staff at Sunbeam Place @ Children’s Society.

Dr Tan Seok Hui, our recipient of the Ruth Wong Award 2021, has shown exceptional leadership and years of dedicated voluntary service with the Society. She has been a member of our Research Committee since August 2007. In 2017, she served as the Research Committee’s Vice Chairperson. Since 2018, she took on greater leadership roles, including Chairperson of the Research Committee, Vice Chairperson of the Research and Advocacy Standing Committee, and is also a nominated member of the Board.

As the Chairperson of the Research Committee, Dr Tan helps to chart the direction of the Research Unit. She also plays an active role in many of the Research Studies conducted by Children’s Society, as well as reviewing research grant applications, the bi-annual research newsletter Research Bites, and abstracts submitted by staff for research conferences to ensure the academic rigour of our work.

Top accolade for donors – Gopal Haridas Award

This year, the Singapore Children’s Society will also be giving out the Gopal Haridas Award 2021 to Gartner Advisory (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. The Gopal Haridas Award is awarded to an individual, group or organisation who had raised significant amount of funds or made donations to the Singapore Children’s Society in the preceding year.

In the midst of the pandemic in year 2020, Gartner reached out to Singapore Children’s Society and initiated a Corporate Social Responsibility partnership in the spirit of giving back to the community. Understanding that the global pandemic had not only impacted the charity’s operations but also its fundraising capacities, Gartner made a generous donation of its received Job Support Scheme funding from the government to support Singapore Children’s Society. This generous gesture had greatly contributed to the operations of the 12 service centres under Singapore Children’s Society, keeping the charity financially sound during one of its hard-hit years. Beyond this kind contribution, Gartner hopes to continue its CSR efforts and extend its strong support for Children’s Society through future staff engagement and volunteering opportunities.

The other award categories to be presented onsite include the Platinum and Gold Service Awards (2020 and 2021) and the Platinum and Gold Awards (2020 and 2021). The awards are conferred according to the length of volunteer service rendered, and amount raised or donated.

About Singapore Children’s Society (www.childrensociety.org.sg)

Singapore Children’s Society protects and nurtures children and youth of all races and religions. In 2020, the Society reached out to 34,654 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 12 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 Halimah Yacob.