President's Challenge 2010 Thank You Reception

Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon,
Minister of State for Community Development, Youth & Sports

Mr Niam Chiang Meng,
Chairman, President’s Challenge Steering Committee

Mr Philip Tan, Vice President, National Council of Social Service,

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

Welcome to the Istana and thank you for your generous contributions and support to the President’s Challenge.  Your steadfast support is a reflection of an increasing civic consciousness to help the underprivileged in Singapore.  I commend all your efforts to build a more gracious and compassionate Singapore.

In line with this year’s slogan of “Spare a Moment to Care”, the President’s Challenge movement reflects greater community ownership, with more focus on the efforts of volunteers, donors and sponsors to engage our beneficiaries. President’s Challenge is not just about raising funds, but also about making time to care for one another or going the extra mile to understand the lives of those with special needs.

It is remarkable to see the creativity of our partners, in reaching out to our beneficiaries. Their commitment to build relationships with our beneficiaries, powerfully illustrate the act of “giving” in a personal way.  Let me cite a few examples.

The SingHealth family has been actively involved in engaging the different beneficiaries through community outreach projects that usually have a health twist. This year, some examples are of the National Dental Centre organising a fun-filled session for 22 members of the Down Syndrome Association with a demonstration on good oral hygiene practices and KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital holding a workshop for the female clients of Casa Raudha Women Home to keep healthy and fit during Ramadan.

Students have also directly engaged our beneficiaries.  Temasek Secondary School has organised service-learning visits to President’s Challenge beneficiaries    since 2009 and this year, they have visited 11 beneficiaries.  This engagement not only helps their personal leadership development, but also allows them to be more aware of the less fortunate and take greater ownership of their fundraising activities to help these beneficiaries.

This year, for the first time at the MediaCorp’s President’s Star Charity 2010, performances by 2 of our beneficiaries -- Adelyn Koh from the Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped and Christopher Sng from the Red Cross Home for the Disabled - were showcased during the programme. I am amazed by Adelyn and Christopher’s talent, determination, courage and cheerful disposition.

I want to specially thank our major donors – Lee Foundation, Mr Stephen Riady, Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple and ST Engineering for their steadfast support.  And not forgetting our Challenge Sponsors – the Singapore Totalisator Board and Singapore Pools – for generously sponsoring $1.2 million annually to underwrite the administrative cost of organising President’s Challenge.  I also wish to thank the President’s Challenge Steering Committee chaired by Mr Niam Chiang Meng. Over the years, President’s Challenge has grown from a small month-long campaign to a year–long effort by 250,000 people and 85  organisations to reach out to the less fortunate among us.  It is heartening to see how the reach and appeal of President’s Challenge has grown, and I hope you will continue to build on this momentum in the years to come. I am pleased to announce that the total pledges for the 37 beneficiaries of President’s Challenge 2010 amounts to $12 million!   Once again, we surpassed the target of $8m.

This evening, we are also recognising the efforts of a very special group of individuals and organisations, and their selfless dedication towards the less fortunate in our society.  The good work done by this year’s winners of the President’s Social Service Award (or PSSA) is laudable.

Of the 63 nominations received this year, five have emerged as worthy winners.  They are an inspiration and role model to all, and their contributions demonstrate that compassion and the spirit of volunteerism and caring are indeed alive and well in Singapore society.

I congratulate the two Individual category winners, Ms Nancy Chia and Mr Tan Guan Heng, who have volunteered selflessly towards the cause of those with disabilities.  This year’s Informal Group category winner is the SGH Volunteer Club, which reaches out to the needy elderly.  I also congratulate JTC Corporation for winning the Formal Group category award, and SMRT Corporation Limited for bagging the Corporate category award.

I hope that you will continue the good work that you are doing and inspire many others to join you. You and other volunteers are a vital part of the social service sector that reaches out to the less fortunate in our midst.

Thank You.