S$1m raised for children in need
SINGAPORE — Glamorously dressed, they came together at the grand ballroom of the Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore yesterday evening with a common goal: To raise funds to bring relief and happiness to children in need.
SINGAPORE — Glamorously dressed, they came together at the grand ballroom of the Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore yesterday evening with a common goal: To raise funds to bring relief and happiness to children in need.
By the end of the biannual Singapore Children’s Society Gala Dinner, the goal was achieved — S$1.04 million was raised, which will be used to fund the society’s programmes and services which benefit more than 72,000 children, youth and their families.
The dinner featured a live auction of three artworks by Singaporean painter Olga Marie Polunin, with the 600-odd guests, comprising sponsors, donors and well-wishers, breaking into laughter when local artiste Michelle Chong appeared as Li Li, one of her well-known comic characters, to oversee the auction. The highest bid of the night was by Shun Zhai Hardware, which offered S$26,388 for the painting titled Dragon. Funds were also raised through the sale of tables at the gala, which went for S$6,888 to S$12,888 per table.
Gracing the event as guest of honour was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Teo Chee Hean, who took to the stage for a speech and presented tokens of appreciation to eight key sponsors.
“It is heartening to see that this spirit of giving continues to be strong in Singapore, after more than six decades. More importantly, Singapore Children’s Society has also evolved over the years, to better address current needs, and help our children in different ways,” said Mr Teo. EMILIA TAN