In celebration of Singapore’s Community Heroes, President Halimah
Yacob and some 11 community groups and individuals turned up for the
light-up ceremony of ChariTrees 2018, along with seven corporate donors,
and more than 130 children and youth as well as their families were
invited to the event. These children and youths are beneficiaries of the
Business Times Budding Artists’ Fund (BT BAF), the recipients of the
year-end annual charity fundraiser.
“ChariTrees’ 20 traditional Christmas trees and 10 “Art” trees are
dedicated to the many individuals, groups and organisations which have
made a positive impact towards our community”, said Mr Tan Puay Kern,
chairman of the ChariTrees 2018 Organising Committee.
The community heroes include individuals, groups and organisations
who have played a significant part in nurturing people and strengthening
communities. They are Cassia Resettlement Team, Diamonds on the Street,
Project Goodwill Aid, Ground-Up Initiative, Halal Goods do Good,
Readable, as well as three individuals, Mdm Noriza Mansor, Ms Qin
Yunquan and Mr Jabez Tan, whose actions have touched and improved the
lives of the communities.
Held for the eighth year, ChariTrees 2018 is organised by
not-for-profit arts organisation and charity with IPC status, The RICE
Company Limited. This year, Certis is the Presenting Donor of
ChariTrees.
Mr Paul Chong, President and Group CEO, Certis, said, “Certis firmly
believes in being a responsible corporate citizen and is proud to be the
Presenting Donor of ChariTrees this year. Through this initiative, we
seek to empower disadvantaged children and youths to discover their
talents and provide opportunities for them to pursue their interests in
arts.”
Other corporate donors include Arrowcrest Technologies, British
Theatre Playhouse, Century Evergreen, Paragon, Perennial Real Estate
Holdings and Prudential.
A total of S$250,000 was raised through ChariTrees 2018 in support of
BT BAF. BT BAF seeks to make the arts accessible for children and
youths from financially disadvantaged backgrounds and provides
beneficiaries with opportunities to discover their talents at arts
training centres – The Little Arts Academy and 10 Square Youth, which
are supported by the Fund.
Since 2005, more than 17,000 children and youths have benefited from a
variety of arts programmes supported by BT BAF such as workshops and
structured training in music, dance, theatre, visual arts, and arts
technology.
The light up of ChariTrees at the opening ceremony saw music, song
and dance performances by Singapore Police Force (SPF) band, students of
Yishun Town Secondary School’s NPCC band and beneficiaries of BT BAF.
The 30 trees will line the Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade from now
until 26 Dec. To add to the Christmas spirit, BT BAF beneficiaries will
also be giving performances 30 Nov and 1 Dec at 7.30pm on both nights.