Virtue signalling

[LITTLEREDDOT]

After its customers lost millions of dollars through scams, OCBC has to find ways to regain its damaged reputation and trust.

OCBC Bank serves up festive meal to more than 250 people on seventh day of CNY​

The dishes were prepared and cooked by three women under the Beyond Social Services' Project Masak-lah! programme. PHOTO: OCBC BANK
Yeo Shu Hui


FEB 7, 2022

SINGAPORE - More than 250 people from 65 families were served a festive meal by staff volunteers from OCBC Bank on Monday (Feb 7), which marks the seventh day of Chinese New Year.
The seventh day is also known as "ren ri". It literally translates to "human day" and is considered to be everyone's birthday.
The meals, which consisted of nasi minyak, chicken rendang and achar, were distributed by three volunteers from OCBC Bank to families living in rental flats in Lavender, North Bridge and Bukit Ho Swee.
Each family also received red packets containing $100 worth of supermarket vouchers.
The dishes were prepared and cooked by three women under the Beyond Social Services' Project Masak-lah programme, which OCBC Bank has been supporting since August last year.
The programme aims to empower women from low-income households in putting their culinary skills to good use to fulfil the food needs of other families in the community, while receiving an allowance for their efforts.
Housewife Tuty Sukari, 45, who is one of the cooks and a beneficiary under Beyond Social Services said that she is happy to be part of the programme.

"I feel a sense of achievement when they tell me that my food is delicious," she added.
Under the programme, eight women have prepared more than 7,000 meals for more than 80 families over five months to date.
The meals are prepared twice a week, scheduled based on the families' indication of when the meals are needed. All the food ingredients are paid for under the #OCBCCares Programme.
OCBC staff volunteer Jerrica Lee, who works in the human resources department, said: "Nothing warms my heart more than to see those who have received help offering help in return."
One of the beneficiaries, who wished to be known only as Mrs Wee, 48, said she is thankful for the initiative as she and her son have been isolating at home since her husband was diagnosed with Covid-19 last week.
"This Lunar New Year is especially tough for us as we are all cooped up at home. The food distribution definitely ensures that my son gets to have a proper meal on ren ri."

 

[Leongsam]

This is what "needy" actually looks like.

 

[myfoot123]

Giving out shitty paper for free is called doing social cause?

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

President Halimah welcomes group from Minds to Istana for CNY event​

President Halimah Yacob (right) with Mr Jerome Poon, a beneficiary of Minds' Me Too! Club, and his mother at the Istana on Feb 10, 2022. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY
Kolette Lim

Feb 10, 2022

SINGAPORE - With furrowed brows and a black marker in hand, Mr Ng Thiam Hock neatly wrote his Chinese name on the mandarin orange carrier bag in front of him before showing it to President Halimah Yacob.
It was the first visit to the Istana for the 19-year-old youth who has an intellectual disability and cerebral palsy, which affects his ability to move.
He said: "I like this place, it's a very nice place. I would like to come here again next time."
Mr Ng was among the eight beneficiaries and six caregivers from the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (Minds) who visited the Istana on Thursday (Feb 10).
Aged 19 to 41, the beneficiaries have various conditions such as intellectual disabilities, autism and cerebral palsy. They are part of Minds' Me Too! Club, which aims to provide intellectually disabled people with opportunities to socialise and build relationships.
The event was co-organised by the President's Office and Youth Corps Singapore, which also coordinated Istana garden tours for nursing home residents before the pandemic.
On Thursday, the President chatted with the guests who also decorated mandarin orange carrier bags with stickers and coloured markers.

Madam Halimah wrapped up their hour together with photos and high fives, before giving out red packets in line with Chinese New Year tradition.
Mr Muhammad Fahmi Adam, 21, who has an intellectual disability, epilepsy and scoliosis and uses a wheelchair, has been attending Me Too! Club activities for close to three years.
His mother, Madam Faridah Tamby, 57, said it is important for him to interact with people, but he was not eligible to enrol in schools or daycare facilities for those with special needs.
"As a caregiver, I am very grateful for such activities because my son can socialise."

President Halimah Yacob interacting with beneficiary Ng Thiam Hock from Minds' Me Too! Club at the Istana on Feb 10, 2022. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY
Mr Saifuddin Arif Zainal, 24, a Youth Corps volunteer of six years, said he was happy to see the beneficiaries in high spirits. "Fahmi was clapping. Madam Faridah shared that Fahmi is not very responsive, so the fact that he was clapping showed that he was enjoying himself," he said.
The full-time national serviceman said he hopes more people will take the initiative to learn more about and interact with the intellectually disabled.
"We should spend time researching this community and understand what life is like for individuals with special needs," he added.

(From left) Madam Faridah Tamby, her son Muhammad Fahmi Adam and volunteer Saifuddin Arif Zainal at the Istana on Feb 10, 2022. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY
The group's visit concluded with a tour of the ground floor of the Istana's main building, guided by volunteers from the Istana Heritage Gallery.
Madam Faridah said she had been looking forward to the event and felt privileged to be able to visit the Istana with her son.
"I have a special child. Events like this show that Singapore is looking out for my child and we are not alone," she added.

 

[ginfreely]

It’s been 5.5 months since I left and the malicious dogs cottonmouth aka glockman aka Jeremy Quek as per hint by jw5 (and sweetiepie etc) are allowed by Leongsam to smear and insult me slut whore mistress with no consequence. I have to inform Leongsam to delete the posts and sometimes to no avail and i am sick of it. So Leongsam did not follow his deal to get his moderators to remove posts speaking ill of me so here I am carrying out my vow to spam the forum if cottonmouth is allowed to spam in my threads without consequence - which cottonmouth obviously did and was allowed - and he has been allowed in this 5.5 months no need follow his agreement to stop insulting me and continued to smear and insult me whore just yesterday and insulted me have std one day before that and everyday with no consequence.

Another thing to highlight is I realised after I left forum that @strawberry = @kaninabuchaojibye and I already know @nightsafari = @kaninabuchaojibye i.e despicable nightsafari is the strawberry that started the thread Who is Ginfreely sugar daddy and then keep upping it on the pretext of asking about strawberry. No wonder so pretentious always pretending to like my Hokkien threads while stabbing me non stop.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Why does UOB need to do a news release? Can't it just keep quiet about it?

UOB's annual festive charity drive raises record $1.88 million​

UOB deputy chairman and chief executive Wee Ee Cheong (left) and LHN executive chairman and group managing director Kelvin Lim, the winner of the auctioned art piece, Bountiful Abundance. PHOTO: UOB

Shermaine Ang

Feb 14, 2022



SINGAPORE - UOB raised a record $1.88 million during its annual Chinese New Year charity fund-raiser this year, the bank said in a news release on Monday (Feb 14).
The money raised will support art, children and education causes through charities such as The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund and The Business Times Budding Artists Fund.
The funds will also go towards supporting education and local small and medium-sized enterprise innovation under the UOB-Singapore Management University Asian Enterprise Institute, as well as other programmes that help build a digitally inclusive community, the bank said.
As part of fund-raising efforts, UOB organised a series of art workshops where UOB executives and clients enamelled the auspicious Chinese character "fu" - which means blessings - on circular seals.
The seals were then affixed on gold-plated tiger art pieces titled Blooming Abundance to usher in the Year of the Tiger.
Each participating client donated at least $10,000 and took home one art piece.
One such piece, affixed with a seal enamelled by UOB deputy chairman and chief executive Wee Ee Cheong, was auctioned.

The piece went to Mr Kelvin Lim, the executive chairman and group managing director of real estate management services group LHN, for a bid of $228,888.
The bank also created a non-fungible token (NFT), or digital representation, of Mr Wee's art piece, which was given to Mr Lim along with the physical art piece.
Mr Wee said: "As we turn the page and welcome new beginnings this Lunar New Year, we remain cognisant of the challenges many in the community face. This is why we are heartened to see the strong support from our clients in coming together to raise funds for worthy causes.
"We hope that our collective efforts will bring new energy and hope to those who need a helping hand and make the year ahead a more optimistic one for them and their families."
Mr Lim said: "We look forward to UOB's annual fund-raising drive during Lunar New Year as they bring businesses together to support those who are in need.
"It is a meaningful way to celebrate the festive season and we appreciate UOB's thoughtfulness and commitment in creating the opportunity for businesses to give back to the community."

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

DBS commits additional $100m to philanthropic causes​

The new funds will be channelled to the eight-year-old DBS Foundation, which traditionally champions social entrepreneurship. ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE

Yeo Shu Hui

Feb 18, 2022

SINGAPORE - DBS Bank is setting aside $100 million to support philanthropic causes, bringing its total commitment to more than $160 million since 2014.
The new funds will be channelled to its eight-year-old DBS Foundation, which traditionally champions social entrepreneurship.
The foundation’s mandate has now expanded to support the wider community, focusing on giving and volunteerism efforts in the areas of elderly, education and the environment. Examples include raising financial and digital literacy, and reducing food waste.
Besides supporting the foundation’s expanded scope, the $100 million will also be used to support other philanthropic or crisis relief efforts by the bank.
"With this additional $100 million commitment, we will be able to ramp up efforts to create social good, and help pave the way for a more equitable world," said DBS Bank chief executive officer Piyush Gupta in a statement on Feb 11.
He said that the Covid-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of the environmental, social and governance agenda.
The lack of financial and digital literacy has come to the fore, and many people in Asia still lack the know-how, worsening the existing digital divide

DBS also cited studies that have predicted that a quarter of Asians will be 60 years or older by 2050, sparking concerns about the potential socio-economic implications of Asia's rapidly ageing population.
On food waste, DBS said one-third of the food produced globally is lost or wasted. Over half of the incidents are in Asia, where more than half of the world's undernourished people reside. Food waste also contributes to climate change.
The DBS Foundation was first established in 2014 with a $50 million fund committed to supporting social entrepreneurship in the region. Since then, the foundation has given out more than $10 million in grants to more than 90 social enterprises in the region and nurtured more than 800 others through its developmental programmes.
DBS said that the funds may also be used to support other philanthropic initiatives and relief measures for communities in need during times of hardship.
For instance, in 2020, it created the $10.5 million DBS Stronger Together Fund and provided 4.5 million meals, care packs and medical supplies to help communities hard-hit by Covid-19.
Last year, the bank donated 1,000 oxygen concentrators to Indonesia, and three cryogenic oxygen tanks and 300 oxygen concentrators to India.
DBS employees also volunteered 100,000 hours for social and environmental causes, benefiting more than 390,000 beneficiaries last year.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Have a campus named after you for posterity for just $2.6 million? Good deal!

Chua Thian Poh Discovery Hub at future SIT campus named after property magnate who donated $2.6m​

Education Minister Chan Chun Sing (right) speaks with Ho Bee Land executive chairman Chua Thian Poh, at the naming ceremony of SIT's Discovery Hub, on Jan 26, 2022. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO

Ng Wei Kai

JAN 26, 2022

SINGAPORE - When the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) opens its permanent campus in Punggol in about two years' time, one of its student centres will bear the name of property magnate Chua Thian Poh.
Mr Chua, the founder of property development and investment firm Ho Bee Land and a benefactor of SIT for nearly 10 years, has given the university $2.6 million to support the development of its new campus and to fund a new bursary.
To be called the Chua Thian Poh Discovery Hub, the centre will occupy two floors in the east zone of SIT's Punggol campus, which is scheduled to open in 2024.
Education Minister Chan Chun Sing was the guest of honour at a naming ceremony held at SIT's temporary campus in Dover on Wednesday (Jan 26).
Mr Chua was accompanied by his wife and son Nicholas Chua, Ho Bee Land's chief executive, at the event, which included a lion dance performance ahead of Chinese New Year next week.
Mr Chan recounted how Mr Chua's relationship with SIT began about 10 years ago, when he decided to pay for the education of a student whose father had died in a car accident.
Private support for Singapore's educational institution through finances, as well as "donating" time and talent, is important, the minister said.

Mr Chan said: "The Ho Bee group has donated generously to SIT over the years, such as supporting SIT's future campus in Punggol and the Ho Bee Scholarship."
He added: "We are glad for many examples of Singaporeans like Mr Chua, who share the convictions of paying it forward and supporting social mobility."
Mr Chan also noted that applied learning institutions such as SIT play an important role in closing the gap between academia and the workforce, which is critical for Singapore to remain economically competitive by constantly upgrading its workforce.
Mr Chua's endowed gift will see six students receive $5,000 under the Chua Thian Poh Bursary each year.
Bursaries will be given to students who have a monthly household income of less than $1,500 per person.
In 2019, Mr Chua's company donated $3.25 million to SIT. The money went towards the development of the future campus as well as the establishment of the Ho Bee Scholarship.
Third-year electrical power engineering student Joshua Chew received this scholarship in November last year.
The 27-year-old said: "My father recently retired, so it is really important to me to be able to pay for things myself, and the scholarship meant that I could spend less time working during the school term."

This freed up his time to focus on both his studies and his hobbies, which include dance, he told The Straits Times.
"But more than the practical help, the scholarship also gave me a lot of confidence and affirmation, especially because I always considered my grades quite average and didn't expect to get it."

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

FairPrice donates $40,000 to Mendaki as part of annual Ramadan outreach initiative​

Fatimah Mujibah

Apr 1, 2022

SINGAPORE - FairPrice has donated $40,000 to Mendaki for its education programmes for children from disadvantaged families.
The supermarket chain's contribution to the Malay/Muslim self-help group on Friday (April 1) is double the amount it gave last year under its annual Ramadan outreach programme, now in its 14th year.
This is to support lower-income families amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Mendaki deputy CEO Zulaiha Yusuf said so far, more than 1,800 students have benefited from FairPrice's contributions to its Education Trust Fund, adding that she hopes more companies, foundations and individuals will step in to help children in the Malay/Muslim community.
Besides the donation, FairPrice willdistribute food, snacks and beverages at 60 outlets from April 3 to May 2 in the evening when Muslims break their fast during the holy month of Ramadan, which began on Friday.
Beneficiary Alimah Bee Abdul Rahim, who received a hamper of groceries and essentials, said: "I am extremely thankful for initiatives like this, which are introduced to help the community."
The 62-year-old grandmother of eight said the gift would help cut down her expenses as her main concern was getting diapers for her younger grandchildren and ensuring that they are all well fed.

Her youngest grandchild is in nursery, while the oldest is in secondary school.
Three of them are under the Financial Assistance Programme in Haig Girls' School and were previously given breakfast and lunch coupons when they were on home-based learning because of the pandemic.
Dr Maliki Osman, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, who was the guest of honour at the cheque presentation ceremony on Friday at SingPost Centre, praised Mendaki's efforts to provide more for disadvantaged children, who do not have access to enrichment lessons or lack support at home for their education.
He said a new initiative in May will see 80 volunteer home tutors being deployed to teach mathematics. About 100 students are expected to benefit from this programme.
Dr Maliki said it was heartening to see acts of kindness by volunteers and organisations in the spirit of Ramadan over the past few days.
"I would like to continue to encourage more volunteerism for... needs that go beyond financial needs. For example, the educational needs of students of lower-income families, which may include extra mentoring or building self-confidence," he added.
"The giving spirit of Ramadan should continue even after we are done celebrating(Hari Raya)."

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

ST School Pocket Money Fund gets $20k donation through Transitlink campaign​

Wallace Woon

Apr 22, 2022

SINGAPORE - The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund (STSPMF) has received a donation of $20,000 raised through TransitLink's Unleash the Gates campaign.
According to a statement by STSPMF on Thursday (April 21), the campaign was organised by TransitLink, Mastercard and Stellar Ace, which was previously known as SMRT Media.
Stellar Ace is the media and digital arm of Stellar Lifestyle, which manages retail and advertising space in Singapore's MRT network.
The funds were raised through direct donations from TransitLink and IT services company Acclivis Technologies, and from a rewards redemption programme by commuters.
From Dec 1, 2021 to Jan 18, 2022, commuters could earn reward points by using their bank cards to make contactless payments for the fares on their commutes.
Using Transitlink's Wink+ app, commuters could then exchange reward points for donations to the STSPMF as well as public transport fare rebates, or other merchant deals on the app.
The STSPMF was started in 2000 to help students from lower-income families. It has since helped close to 180,000 children and youths in need, disbursing more than $80 million in funds.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Citi Singapore donates $120,000 to charity concert ChildAid​

The donation is on top of $120,000 raised so far by Citi employees through online platform Giving.sg. PHOTO: CITI SINGAPORE
Young Zhan Heng

June 17, 2022

SINGAPORE - Citi Singapore has donated $120,000 to charity concert ChildAid that raises funds for The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund (STSPMF) and The Business Times Budding Artist Fund.
The donation is on top of $120,000 raised so far by Citi employees through online platform Giving.sg, with further efforts continuing till June 30.
Mr Amol Gupte, Citi Asean head and country officer for Singapore, said: "We are pleased to continue our efforts to support ChildAid as we mark Citi's 120th anniversary year in Singapore.
"Citi's commitment to supporting the underserved stems from our mission and value proposition to enable growth and progress for the community where we live and work."
On Friday (June 17), to mark the bank's global community day, Citi Singapore held its first physical fund-raising event, since the pandemic in 2020.
There were 16 booths at Singapore Expo, with wellness-related activities such as a battle rope station and a Zumba session, drawing around 1,000 employees and family members.
The $120,000 cheque was handed over to Ms Tan Bee Heong, general manager of STSPMF, and Mr Helmi Yusof, co-chair of ChildAid 2022, by Mr Gupte and Mr Peter Babej, Citi Asia-Pacific chief executive.

Since its inception in 2005, ChildAid has raised $26.7 million for the pocket money and budding artist funds.
The pocket money fund provides students from low-income families a monthly allowance for school-related expenses, while the other fund helps young students from low-income families to pursue the arts.
Since their partnership in 2002, Citi Singapore has donated $7.1 million to the pocket money and budding artist funds.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Chui Huay Lim Club, new president donate to 13 charity, arts and social causes​

Mr Ng Hoy Keng joined the club as a member 38 years ago and has served as a board director for more than 20 years. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN

Chin Soo Fang
Senior Correspondent

July 28, 2022

SINGAPORE - The new president of Singapore's oldest Teochew club has made a personal donation of $100,000 in total to three charities and two Teochew clan associations at the inauguration ceremony of the management committee on Thursday (July 28).
Mr Ng Hoy Keng of Chui Huay Lim Club donated $20,000 each to Sian Chay Medical Institution, Tzu Chi Singapore and Cheng Hong Welfare Service Society to help the needy. He gave another $20,000 each to Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan and Nanyang Pho Leng Hui Kuan to support their promotion of Teochew culture.
The 76-year-old founder of Leco Auto told The Straits Times: "With these donations, I would like to help people in need, and do my part to support local art groups in promoting and preserving traditional Teochew and Chinese culture."
The club also donated $3,000 to the Marine Parade Community Club building fund and another $3,000 each to seven arts groups: Er Woo Amateur Musical and Dramatic Association, Thau Yong Amateur Musical Association, Hwa Siah Musical Association, The Teochew Drama Association, Traditional Arts Centre, Nam Hwa Opera and Chui Huay Lim Teochew Opera Group.
Speaking in Mandarin at the event held at the club's ballroom, Manpower Minister Tan See Leng said he was counting on the 177-year-old club in Keng Lee Road to help integrate new immigrants into Singapore. He added that he was encouraged with the club's efforts to attract new members and to welcome all races and dialect groups to attend some of its events.
Chui Huay Lim Club currently has 338 members.
Dr Tan said the Government is doing all it can to provide assistance and alleviate the pressure from the rising cost of living. However, Singapore is tightly integrated into the global economy and cannot avoid global headwinds.

"The fundamental solution is to make ourselves more productive, transform our businesses, grow our economy, and to uplift everyone," he said. "We must also continue to press on with our long-term strategic efforts to attract quality investment and compete for global talent to complement our local workforce."
It is during such times of change and adjustment that people need mutual support and fellowship, said the minister. He urged the club to help its members adapt to the changing environment and provide them with opportunities to upskill and stay relevant.
Referring to the Forward Singapore exercise launched by Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong recently to strengthen Singapore's social compact and build a future together, Dr Tan said the Government hopes to partner organisations such as Chui Huay Lim Club to reach out to all segments of society .
Mr Ng joined the club as a member 38 years ago and has served as a board director for more than 20 years. He said the club will organise activities to promote Teochew and Chinese culture and attract younger members. It will also welcome all members of the public for some of its events. Its monthly charity lunch for the needy of all races will also be revived with the pandemic situation stabilising.
Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan president Chan Kian Kuan, who is also a director of Chui Huay Lim club, said both organisations share close ties. They will work together to transmit Teochew culture and unite the Teochew community and associations.
Mr Toh Soon Huat, volunteer executive chairman of Sian Chay Medical Institution which provides free medical consultation to 60,000 residents of all races yearly, told ST: "I am heartened that we are remembered during this happy occasion. I hope that more people will do good during their celebrations and help the needy."

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Signum Capital managing partner donates $100,000 to ST pocket money fund​

(From left) Ms Tan Bee Heong, general manager of The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, Mr John Ng Pangilinan, co-founder and managing partner at Signum Capital, his wife Victoria, and Mr Zakir Hussain, ST's Singapore editor. ST PHOTO: DESMOND FOO

Aug 1, 2022

SINGAPORE - Mr John Ng Pangilinan, co-founder and managing partner at Signum Capital, has donated $100,000 to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund (STSPMF).
On Monday (Aug 1), Mr Ng Pangilinan and his wife Victoria presented a cheque to Ms Tan Bee Heong, general manager of STSPMF, and Mr Zakir Hussain, a board trustee of STSPMF and ST's Singapore editor.
Signum Capital is a registered fund that invests in blockchain-related companies globally.
Mr Zakir said: "We are very grateful for the generous contribution of donors like Mr Ng Pangilinan, which will ensure the fund continues to be able to support school-going children so they can focus on their learning."
Initiated by ST, the fund was started in 2000 as a community project to provide pocket money to children from low-income families to help them get through school.
Every year, it disburses about $7 million to families whose per capita gross monthly household income is not more than $690, helping about 10,000 needy students.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

UOB donates $500,000 to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund​

UOB's head of group commercial banking Eric Lian (left) presents a mock cheque of $500,000 to STSPMF chairman, ST editor Warren Fernandez, on Aug 12, 2022. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
Sarah Koh

Aug 12, 2022


SINGAPORE - UOB donated $500,000 to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund (STSPMF) on Friday (Aug 12).
The donation will go towards supporting ChildAid 2022, an annual charity concert organised by The Straits Times and The Business Times, with STSPMF and The Business Times Budding Artists Fund (BTBAF) as the beneficiaries.
The multinational bank also donated $500,000 to BTBAF earlier this year in June.
Mr Eric Lian, UOB's head of group commercial banking, said: "We believe that education is integral to building a strong foundation for children and youth, and hope that our support of the ST School Pocket Money Fund will help equip them with the resources they need for school, especially during these challenging times."
The funds were raised through generous donations from small and medium-sized enterprise customers of the bank earlier this year.
Mr Warren Fernandez, chairman of the fund, editor-in-chief of SPH Media Trust's English, Malay and Tamil Media Group and editor of ST, said: "The (Covid-19) pandemic had an economic impact that was especially severe on those who are less well-off. With the help of regular donors such as UOB, it gives us the confidence that we are able to help our beneficiaries year in, year out."
Initiated by The Straits Times in 2000, the STSPMF provides pocket money to children from low-income families. The fund has disbursed more than $90 million to more than 200,000 children.

Around $7.8 million has been disbursed by the STSPMF since the start of this year.
In its 18th edition this year, the ChildAid 2022 concert will be staged on Dec 13. This year's theme is All Together Now, and the show will return in full force as a physical event after being presented in virtual and hybrid formats in the past two years.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Singapore shipping firm PIL donates $1.7m to self-help groups​

(From left) CDAC executive director Tan Yap Kin, Mendaki CEO Zuraidah Abdullah, PIL executive chairman Teo Siong Seng, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong, Eurasian Association president Sandra Theseira and Sinda CEO Anbarasu Rajendran at the donation ceremony on Oct 17, 2022. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Gabrielle Chan

Oct 17, 2022

SINGAPORE - The four self-help groups in Singapore got a total of $1.7 million in donations from container shipping line Pacific International Line (PIL) on Monday.
The Chinese Development Assistance Council, Singapore Indian Development Association and Yayasan Mendaki will each get $500,000 while the Eurasian Association will get $200,000.
The donations will be used to fund self-help group projects that help support low-income families and education initiatives.
PIL also plans to set up a foundation with a pledged amount of $300,000, which will help fund other charitible projects, said PIL executive chairman Teo Siong Seng.
At a ceremony held at the firm’s premises in Shenton Way, Mr Teo said the donation was one way for PIL to mark its return to financial health this year.
It is also an oppurtunity to recognize the role self-help groups play in maintaining harmony, peace, and stability in Singapore, he added.
Mr Teo said: “This act of giving is an important message to send to our colleagues both at home and overseas that wherever we are, we should give back to the community.”

Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong, who was the guest of honour at the event, lauded PIL’s efforts.
Mr Tong, who is also Second Minister for Law, said the donation will go a long way towards efforts to maintain social harmony in Singapore.
Yayasan Mendaki chief executive Zuraidah Abdullah said the donation will help Mendaki reach its fundraising target of $20 million, and go towards improving and expanding existing programmes for lower-income families.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

FairPrice donates $40,000 to Sinda to help needy students ahead of Deepavali​

Five Sinda beneficiary families were also given $100 worth of FairPrice vouchers to shop at its supermarket in City Square Mall. ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE
Yong Li Xuan


SEP 29, 2022

SINGAPORE - Supermarket chain FairPrice on Thursday donated $40,000 to the Singapore Indian Development Association (Sinda) to support needy students ahead of Deepavali, which falls on Oct 24 this year.
This is double the amount donated in 2021.
In addition, five Sinda beneficiary families were given $100 worth of FairPrice vouchers to shop at its supermarket in City Square Mall.
Housewife Valli Krishnasamy, 41, who was there with her daughter, 11, said the vouchers came in handy.
Ms Valli, whose husband, a prison officer, is the sole breadwinner, said: "Chicken prices went up by a lot but my children like to eat chicken, so I do feel the pinch from inflation."
She added that her family of four spends about $200 a month on groceries and diapers for her 14-year-old special needs son.
FairPrice has disbursed more than $178 million through its charity arm, FairPrice Foundation, since it was launched in 2008.

 

[Scrooball (clone)]

All these wayang… guess they forgot the public funded their monies ? Haha

 

[blackmondy]

I'm a very humble person and I'm extremely proud of my humility.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Law firm Allen & Gledhill gives $1m to NUS and SMU to support legal education​

Allen & Gledhill partner Sanjiv Rajan and his team packing food for needy families earlier this year. PHOTO: COURTESTY OF SANJIV RAJAN

Amelia Teng
Education Correspondent

Oct 24, 2022

SINGAPORE - Leading law firm Allen & Gledhill has given $1 million to two local universities to support legal education.
To mark its 120th anniversary, the firm pledged $500,000 each to the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) law faculty and the Yong Pung How School of Law of the Singapore Management University (SMU).
The donation, which was made at an anniversary dinner event in October, will go towards supporting scholarships and academic programmes from 2023 to 2027.
This is not the first time the law firm has given towards legal education. It previously made two donations, of $150,000 and $250,000 respectively, to NUS law school at its 100th and 110th anniversaries.
In a statement, Allen & Gledhill’s managing partner Jerry Koh said: “As a law firm, we have legal education as an important focus of our giving programme.
“We have benefited greatly from the rule of law and a very developed practice of law in Singapore, and we are committed to supporting our young minds and future lawyers obtain a sound foundation in law and legal principles at our outstanding law schools.”
Allen & Gledhill was founded in 1902 and is one of the leading and largest full-service law firms in South-east Asia, with more than 600 lawyers.

Professor Simon Chesterman, dean of NUS Law, said: “We are deeply grateful that this important anniversary is being used to reaffirm the firm’s commitment to legal education and future generations of lawyers.
“This gift will make our efforts to recruit diverse and talented students far easier, as well as ensuring that our graduates are able to see that the profession supports and nurtures its own.”
Professor Lee Pey Woan, dean of SMU’s law school, said it will work closely with Allen & Gledhill to ensure its gift is fully invested in supporting students and advancing legal research and education.
To mark its anniversary, Allen & Gledhill also launched an initiative under which its lawyers get to give back to the community.
Starting next year, its lawyers are strongly encouraged to spend at least 24 hours volunteering and being involved in pro bono work. This includes in criminal and family law matters.
Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, more than 100 lawyers from the firm were involved in pro bono matters, completing nearly 10,000 hours of pro bono work in 2020 and 2021.

Mr Joshua Foo, 28, who had previously received a scholarship from Allen & Gledhill in his third year of law school at NUS, said it helped to cover a substantial amount of his tuition fees.
“While we were not in a very dire situation, it really alleviated a big financial burden off the family,” he said.
Mr Foo, who is now an associate in Allen & Gledhill’s litigation and dispute resolution department, said he returned to work in the firm despite not having a bond for several reasons, including the mentorship he has received over the years.
“There are many learning opportunities as the department covers a wide variety of legal work, from criminal to commercial matters.”

 

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Law firm Allen & Gledhill gives $1m to NUS and SMU to support legal education​

Allen & Gledhill partner Sanjiv Rajan and his team packing food for needy families earlier this year. PHOTO: COURTESTY OF SANJIV RAJAN

Amelia Teng
Education Correspondent

Oct 24, 2022

SINGAPORE - Leading law firm Allen & Gledhill has given $1 million to two local universities to support legal education.
To mark its 120th anniversary, the firm pledged $500,000 each to the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) law faculty and the Yong Pung How School of Law of the Singapore Management University (SMU).
The donation, which was made at an anniversary dinner event in October, will go towards supporting scholarships and academic programmes from 2023 to 2027.
This is not the first time the law firm has given towards legal education. It previously made two donations, of $150,000 and $250,000 respectively, to NUS law school at its 100th and 110th anniversaries.
In a statement, Allen & Gledhill’s managing partner Jerry Koh said: “As a law firm, we have legal education as an important focus of our giving programme.
“We have benefited greatly from the rule of law and a very developed practice of law in Singapore, and we are committed to supporting our young minds and future lawyers obtain a sound foundation in law and legal principles at our outstanding law schools.”
Allen & Gledhill was founded in 1902 and is one of the leading and largest full-service law firms in South-east Asia, with more than 600 lawyers.

Professor Simon Chesterman, dean of NUS Law, said: “We are deeply grateful that this important anniversary is being used to reaffirm the firm’s commitment to legal education and future generations of lawyers.
“This gift will make our efforts to recruit diverse and talented students far easier, as well as ensuring that our graduates are able to see that the profession supports and nurtures its own.”
Professor Lee Pey Woan, dean of SMU’s law school, said it will work closely with Allen & Gledhill to ensure its gift is fully invested in supporting students and advancing legal research and education.
To mark its anniversary, Allen & Gledhill also launched an initiative under which its lawyers get to give back to the community.
Starting next year, its lawyers are strongly encouraged to spend at least 24 hours volunteering and being involved in pro bono work. This includes in criminal and family law matters.
Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, more than 100 lawyers from the firm were involved in pro bono matters, completing nearly 10,000 hours of pro bono work in 2020 and 2021.

Mr Joshua Foo, 28, who had previously received a scholarship from Allen & Gledhill in his third year of law school at NUS, said it helped to cover a substantial amount of his tuition fees.
“While we were not in a very dire situation, it really alleviated a big financial burden off the family,” he said.
Mr Foo, who is now an associate in Allen & Gledhill’s litigation and dispute resolution department, said he returned to work in the firm despite not having a bond for several reasons, including the mentorship he has received over the years.
“There are many learning opportunities as the department covers a wide variety of legal work, from criminal to commercial matters.”

The volume of work they do, what proportion comes from Govt or semi-Govt referrals ?