PC2011 Thank You Reception

Major-General (NS) Chan Chun Sing,
Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports,

Mdm Halimah Yacob,
Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports,

Mr Sam Tan,
Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development, Youth and Sports,

Rear-Admiral (Retired) Kwek Siew Jin,
President, National Council of Social Service

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

The social service sector has held a special place for all of us.  In times gone by, charitable giving was mostly an individual effort, while philanthropic endeavours were mainly by a few philanthropic foundations and some religious organisations.

When I assumed the Presidency in September 1999, I saw an opportunity to do something for those in our society who needed a helping hand. In the year 2000, I launched the President’s Challenge, with your active encouragement and support.  From its humble beginnings, the movement has grown and flourished, thanks to the sustained support from you and many individuals, organisations, informal groups and schools.

Over the last 12 years, I have had the privilege to experience the passion, the fervour and the dedication of thousands of men and women, boys and girls, and different organisations who have come forward year after year, to provide hope to those in need. I am sure it must also have inspired you to actively work for the success of President’s Challenge.  Singapore has shown that we are a caring nation with giving hearts.

Because of our people’s kindness and generosity, President’s Challenge had raised over $100 million over the years and helped 500 beneficiaries.  This year, we have raised $11 million for 28 social service organisations so far.  I am grateful to all of you here tonight, because each of you have in one way or another, touched the hearts of those in need, whether it was through your words, your actions, your donations or your influence.

I would like to especially acknowledge the work of two people, apart from charitable foundations like the Lee Foundation, who have been instrumental in the growth and development of the President’s Challenge. The individuals I like to mention are the former permanent secretaries of MCYS, and chairpersons of the President’s Challenge Steering Committee.  First, Ms Lim Soo Hoon from 2000 to 2004.  And then Mr Niam Chiang Meng from 2005 to early this year.  Both Ms Lim and Mr Niam have shouldered their responsibilities admirably.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their years of service and hard work for this cause.

I also wish to express my sincere thanks to the Challenge Sponsors – the Singapore Totalisator Board and Singapore Pools.  Both have been faithful partners of President’s Challenge since its birth, providing the financial support to meet all its expenses and ensuring that every dollar donated went directly to its beneficiaries.

This evening, it is also appropriate to recognise the efforts of a very special group of individuals and organisations for their selfless dedication towards the less fortunate in our society. 

Of the 56 nominations for the President’s Social Service Award (or PSSA) received this year, 5 have emerged as the most worthy recipients.  They are an inspiration and role model to us all, and their contributions demonstrate that compassion and the spirit of volunteerism are indeed thriving in Singapore.

I would like to congratulate the Individual category winner, Ms Chia Yong Yong, who has devoted herself to improving the lives of persons with disabilities.  The Informal Group category winner for this year, the Emerald Group, has been bringing joy and meaning to the lives of palliative care patients in Dover Park Hospice for the last 13 years.  The Singapore Polytechnic and the Defence Science & Technology Agency are winners of the Formal Group category award, for their well-structured approach to promoting volunteering within their organisations; and Singapore Press Holdings Limited bags the Corporate category award with their far-reaching contributions to charitable causes.

This year, for the first time, we are also recognising an organisation that has made more than a significant impact on the lives of the less fortunate through sustained and outstanding contributions to the social service sector in Singapore.

I would like to commend the Lee Foundation on being conferred the inaugural Presidential Medallion for Social Philanthropy.  Since its establishment in 1952, the Lee Foundation has made generous philanthropic contributions to a wide range of charitable causes, and is one of the most significant contributors to the social service sector, including the President’s Challenge and the Community Chest.  Through its generosity, many have been able to further their education and advancement in life.  The causes they have supported are too many for me to mention tonight. 

Lee Foundation’s contributions have brought about a positive difference to the lives of so many less fortunate in our community for six decades.  On behalf of Singapore and the many organisations and causes supported by the Lee Foundation, I want to place on record my thanks and those of yours to Lee Foundation, for their generosity and kindness. 

As this chapter of the President’s Challenge and the President’s Social Service Awards draws to a close, they will be remembered for many things.  For the beneficiaries, they may have fond memories of help they were rendered, opportunities they were given, and joys they had experienced.  For some of you, it could be the camaraderie of coming together for a common cause that has touched numerous lives. 

For me personally, it has always been, and always will be, about the heart of Singapore and Singaporeans.  As I say my goodbye to all of you, it is my sincere hope that this spirit of caring will continue to manifest itself in the course of our daily life, so that those who are not as fortunate as we are will have the hope for a better tomorrow.

Thank you.