SINGAPORE: A total of 244 awards were presented to 196 organisations and individuals during the Community Chest Awards 2023, held at the Istana on Wednesday (Oct 24). These accolades acknowledged the remarkable contributions made in 2022 through donations, volunteering, resource provision, and inclusive hiring practices.
Marking its 40th anniversary, Community Chest’s commitment to sustainable philanthropy was showcased during the event. The organisation recognized pioneer partners of the Change for Charity initiative, celebrating their pivotal role in fostering positive change. Additionally, the event paid tribute to long-term donors who faithfully contributed to SHARE, Community Chest’s regular giving programme.
The ceremony was attended by guest of honour President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, First Lady Jane Ittogi, Minister of State for Social and Family Development and Home Affairs Sun Xueling, and Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Social and Family Development, and Culture, Community and Youth Eric Chua.
Mr Chew Sutat, Chairman of Community Chest, reflected on the organization’s journey and said: “Community Chest has come a long way in the last four decades, evolving from a national fundraiser to a key philanthropic partner of the community. By incorporating giving as part of living, whether through donations, volunteering, or resource provision, we can make a more sustainable impact on the community.”
The top honour, the Pinnacle Award, was bestowed upon SP Group, acknowledging their exemplary holistic giving efforts. This accolade is reserved for organisations that excel in donation, volunteerism, and inclusive employment practices, setting a benchmark for others to follow.
SP Group’s partnership with Community Chest began in 2005 when they established the Heartware Fund, raising funds for programmes benefiting vulnerable individuals in Singapore. In addition, they facilitated contributions through the SP app and collaborated with the non-profit organisation Trampolene, creating internship and employment opportunities for individuals with special needs under the Growing Autistic Talent for Engineering Sector program.
Apart from the Pinnacle award, SP Group also received the Charity Platinum, Enabler, and Volunteer Partner Awards for their extensive contributions, including donations, volunteerism, and various forms of support.
Stanley Huang, Group Chief Executive Officer and Director of SP Group emphasized the organisation’s commitment to sustained giving, saying: “This year, we are committed to extending close to $5 million in philanthropic contributions, building on the $5.1 million disbursed in the last two years through Community Chest, and scaling up our volunteer outreach.”
Individuals were not left out of the recognition as well. Gerald Rodrigues, Director at Marina Bay Sands, was among the SHARE donors recognised for their unwavering support. As a former police officer, Mr Rodrigues’ firsthand experiences with lower-income individuals in Singapore fuelled his passion for giving back to the community through SHARE and other charitable endeavours.
The awards ceremony also highlighted the collective impact of over 2,000 companies and 250,000 individual donors contributing to SHARE, which provides approximately 25% of the annual funds raised by Community Chest.
The ceremony also featured the talents of social service users, including a dance performance by students from the Diverse Abilities Dance Collective and the Maya Dance Theatre, as well as a duet by two visually impaired artists.
Every donation to Community Chest is directed towards supporting more than 200 critical social services, benefiting over 93,000 individuals in need. This support extends to children with special needs, at-risk youths, adults with disabilities, individuals with mental health conditions, and families and seniors requiring assistance.