– Charlie “Tremendous” Jones, author and motivational speaker
There are many issues that the community is facing. And only when we take the effort to find out more and keep ourselves up-to-date, can we be part of the solution and change can happen, to truly build a community that cares.
Staff drive Shell Singapore’s social investment efforts
SHELL SINGAPORE - Oil and gas giant Shell is easily one of the most recognisable brands in the world. For many years, Shell employees worldwide have been supporting various causes which include the empowerment of women, supporting the elderly as well as children with...
Collective action to meet community needs sustainably
As companies today find themselves caught between the dilemma of limited resources and the compelling desire to create social impact, it is increasingly apparent that the key lies in collective solutions. Challenges facing our society are ever-changing and usually...
Showing the way – Operation Hope Foundation’s Robert Kee
Operation Hope Foundation's Robert Kee says it's impossible to run a charity based on honesty, the system must instead prevent dishonesty. DONATING rice to a poor village is a kind, charitable act - until you find that what you thought was pure rice was actually...
Giving back to society through skills development and education
KEPPEL CORPORATION - With a presence in a wide range of sectors - from offshore and marine to property, Keppel Corp has not forgotten to extend a helping hand to the less fortunate. The Group commits up to 1% of its annual net profits to worthy social causes, and its...
Singaporeans helping to make the world a better place
Singapore is not best known for its cuddly nature; it came in 79th out of 140 countries for "helping a stranger" in the CAF World Giving Index 2016 (which was still an improvement from when it came in 134th out of 135 countries for that particular metric in 2013). For...
Assembling Singapore’s ‘superheroes’
Three years ago, Ms Jean Loo hit on a winning idea to combine photography, costume-making and every kid’s innate desire to be a superhero into a groundbreaking social initiative to inspire children here. Those who took part in the project, called Superhero Me,...
More disability-inclusive gyms in the pipeline
People with disabilities will soon be able to exercise in gyms, just like able-bodied persons. These disability-inclusive gyms at government-run ActiveSG sports centres in Bedok, Jurong West, Tampines and Toa Payoh are expected to be ready by 2018. This is part of the...
SG Cares to cultivate volunteerism here
SG Cares is a nationwide volunteerism movement by Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY). The movement aims to harness the goodwill of Singaporeans, inspire them to step forward, and support them to help others in need. It will focus on increasing...
A life of service is a life worth swiping
In today's highly competitive Singapore, many high-fliers want to achieve - but my question for them is: Who are you achieving for and what are you truly leaving behind? Many of us today, especially among the younger generation, have the mentality that to achieve...
Funds for post-secondary bursaries to go up to S$150m a year
Needy students in post-secondary education institutions (PSEIs) stand to gain from more financial support. The Government is increasing this support to 50 per cent more than before. Two existing bursaries, those awarded by the Community Development Councils/Citizens'...
Riding out fund woes of charity
It costs $8 million annually to run Kidney Dialysis Foundation (KDF), Singapore’s second-largest non-profit dialysis provider. However, donations are less than ideal due to the uncertain global economic climate. Into its fourth year, the KDF Millennium Ride, one of...
More low-income households to get Home Access benefits
The Government is expanding the Home Access Programme, which provides low-income households with low-cost broadband connectivity at home, and a tablet, to benefit 16,000 households, in addition to the current 8,000 on the programme. Dr Janil Puthucheary, Minister of...
P&G: Integrating giving into business functions
PROCTER & GAMBLE - While corporate giving today is largely centred on fund-raising, cheque writing and ad hoc volunteer days, P&G has moved beyond those to look at more strategic and sustained giving by tapping the group's business expertise for good. The...
Helping to fulfil wishes of needy – step by step
500 participants from less privileged backgrounds turned up for the Walk for Wishes event held at the Singapore Zoo on 5 March 2017. The walk aimed to raise funds to help fulfil their wishes, such as new school bags, walking aids or daily groceries. Each completed...
Call to integrate people with disabilities early
Early integration of people with disabilities is a possible way to raise their employment rate. People with disabilities usually attend special schools and therefore many people in the public are encountering them for the first time in their workplace. As such, this...
Social safety net – no substitute for caring hearts helpful hands
“Community action is particularly critical when it comes to "providing last-mile social service delivery" and customising assistance for vulnerable groups”, said Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat at a Parliament seating on 2 March 2017. Mr Heng was making a speech which...
Charities woo partners via speed dating
Finding the right match of skills, resources and interests can be quite a chore on the burgeoning charity scene. A new app initiated by the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) makes use of technology based on the idea of online speed dating, to help...
Budget ‘ensures weakest in society get the most help’
Budget 2017 was aimed to address how Singaporeans could continue to make a living, as well as how they might look after one another. The Budget is about building the kind of society that Singapore aspires to be - we should be inclusive and have social mobility. This...
Increased aid to tackle dementia, mental health issues
Dementia affects about 40,000 people in Singapore today, and this number is expected to double by 2030 as the population ages. The Government will spend $160 million more in the next five years on community mental health efforts. Three dementia-friendly communities...
Lift for charities, sports and arts programmes
Charities, self-help groups and sports and cultural programmes are going to get more funding, which will help to strengthen community bonds and attract more people to participate in activities such as sports, arts and heritage causes. People with greater needs will...
