SINGAPORE - The funds will go to the Care and Share movement, a national drive launched last October to encourage donations and volunteerism in the run-up to the Republic's 50th anniversary celebrations in 2015.
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Here is the press release from National Council of Social Service:
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced that the government will set aside $250 million in matching grants to support the Care & Share Movement. Prime Minister Lee was speaking at the opening of the Thye Hua Kwan Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children (EIPIC) Centre @ Ang Mo Kio and launch of the Temasek Cares – EIPIC Bursary on January 17.
Eligible donations received during the year by voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs) in the social service sector and Community Chest will receive the government matching. This will go towards helping VWOs raise capabilities, expand capacity and provide social service programmes to better serve needy and less fortunate Singaporeans.
The government will contribute $250 million. Together with the funds raised by VWOs from corporate organisations, foundations and individuals, the target is to create a $500 million fund under the Care & Share Movement.
Care & Share, announced last October, is a national fund-raising and volunteerism movement for the social service sector. Its objectives are to bring our nation together to show care and concern for the needy, recognise the contributions made by VWOs and prepare the social service sector to meet future needs.
Prime Minister Lee urged VWOs, corporations and community partners to come together through the movement and nurture the community spirit of helping those with less: “The Government will do more to support Singaporeans and their families, especially the needy and vulnerable... The community, too, can and must do more to support the less fortunate. This is not because the law or the Government says so, but because it reflects the values of our society, and our mutual care and empathy for our fellow Singaporeans.”
Mr Phillip Tan, Chairman of Community Chest and the Care & Share Committee, welcomed the news. He said, “We are very encouraged that the government is supporting the Care & Share Movement with a substantial matching grant. This will give a boost to the social service sector as it prepares itself to meet growing needs. I hope that the government matching will spur corporate organisations, foundations and individuals to donate generously to VWOs in the social service sector, and also encourage more people to come forward as volunteers. Community Chest, which raises funds for over 80 VWOs, will spearhead more fund-raising and volunteering efforts to engage various segments of the community to give their time and money to worthwhile charitable causes.”