Singapore, 18 November 2016 - Marina Bay will be lit up with stories of resilient individuals and families from today until 27 December. 30 special trees, or ChariTrees, will line the Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade, with each tree featuring the story and photo of an individual or family who has overcome adversity with the help and support of Singapore’s charities. Guest-of-Honour Dr Lily Neo, Member of Parliament for Jalan Besar GRC officiated the Light-Up Ceremony today.
This is the first time the Singapore Red Cross is organising ChariTrees @ Marina Bay with the Community Chest. It is a platform to raise funds for charities under the care of Singapore Red Cross and Community Chest, and the fundraiser celebrates strength in adversity while raising awareness on the needs of the disadvantaged. Having raised over $314,000 from corporate partners through adoption of the trees and donations, the fundraiser also celebrates the spirit of giving during the festive season.
Some corporate partners have also decorated their ChariTrees together with beneficiaries from the charities. For example, 9 employees of Certis CISCO Security Pte Ltd decorated their adopted ChariTree with handmade ornaments from recycled materials, together with 8 youths from Students Care Service.
Mr Steven Choo, Deputy Secretary-General of the Singapore Red Cross, said, “The stories displayed at ChariTrees @ Marina Bay 2016 show how the community can, through volunteerism and giving, have a significantly positive influence on those with less opportunities or who need a helping hand. We hope this will inspire more people to join the Red Cross in uplifting vulnerable communities - such as the severely disabled, the skipped-generation families, the single-elderly and single-parent households, the working poor, and those who fall through the gaps of social safety nets.”
Mr Tan Puay Kern, Chairman of the ChariTrees @ Marina Bay 2016 Organising Committee and Vice Chairman of Community Chest said, “Community Chest is pleased to partner Singapore Red Cross to organise this meaningful project. We have been able to share our mutual experience in fund-raising and social engagement by working together. I look forward to more of such collaboration. Together, we can mobilise our resources for better outcomes for our beneficiaries.”
Speech by Mr Steven Choo, Deputy Secretary-General of the Singapore Red Cross.
View photos from ChariTrees @ Marina Bay here.
About ChariTrees @ Marina Bay
Launched in 2011 and now into its 6th year, ChariTrees @ Marina Bay is a valuable platform for companies to express their corporate social responsibility during the festive season. ChariTrees @ Marina Bay 2016 is a unique and exclusive fundraising initiative by Community Chest and Singapore Red Cross to raise funds for the less fortunate.
About Community Chest
For over 30 years, Community Chest has been engaging the community to support people in need through fund-raising and volunteering. Community Chest supports about 80 social service organisations in Singapore, allowing them to focus on caring for the disadvantaged. As our fund-raising and operating costs are covered mainly by Tote Board and Singapore Pools, 100% of your donation goes towards helping:
- Children with special needs and youth-at-risk to reach their potential
- Adults with disabilities to integrate into society
- Relationships of families in difficulty to stay resilient
- Seniors to age graciously in the community
- Persons with mental health issues to integrate into society
Give Hope. Share Joy at comchest.sg