Singapore Children's Society honours 32 individuals, corporations for contributions
SINGAPORE — The late Angela Koh Chay Yong, who passed away two years ago from cancer at the age of 57, had chosen the Singapore Children’s Society (SCS) as a charity to posthumously donate $50,000.
Rashidah Abdul Rasip, 58, had joined the SCS 12 years ago as a volunteer and actively participates in many of its events despite her busy schedule. The former Mendaki chief executive officer is now the vice chairperson of the SCS’ social work service standing committee and a member of its executive committee.
Both women were among 32 individuals and corporations honoured for their contributions at the SCS’ annual awards on Wednesday (12 June) at the Pan Pacific Singapore.
Award for service of at least 10 years
Rashidah was presented the prestigious Ruth Wong Award, named after the late founding director of the then Institute of Education, by guest-of-honour President Halimah Yacob and SCS chairman Koh Choon Hui.
The award, inaugurated in 1982, honours volunteers who have led and served the SCS for at least 10 years.
“The greatest motivation comes from knowing that the SCS’ intervention programmes have helped the children we serve. The progress that we see in the development of the children, even though it is incremental, keeps us going,” said Rashidah.
Last year, the SCS reached out to 78,433 beneficiaries across 77 programmes and services, 12,000 more compared to 2017.
Awards for fund-raising, donation
Koh’s family accepted the Gold Award on her behalf, alongside fellow category awardees who donated last year, including private property developer Far East Organization and investment group Capital C Corporation.
The award is given to individuals or organisations for raising between $100,000 and $299,999 or donating between $50,000 and $149,999.
The Tote Board received the sole Platinum Award, given to individuals or organisations for raising between $300,000 and $499,999 or donating between $150,000 and $349,999.
Other categories include Platinum, Gold, Silver and Commendation Service awards for volunteers, as well as as Silver award for donors.
Volunteers on the rise
“In our last 67 years, volunteers and donors have always been the core pillars to support our services,” said chairman Koh in his welcome address.
The SCS had 1,256 volunteers last year, up 138 compared to 2017, he noted.
Last year also saw a donation income of $10.79 million – 63 per cent of the SCS’ total income – from 19,224 individual donors and 1,844 corporate donors, added Koh.
In his speech, he also highlighted the need for the recent reforms made to the Penal Code to enhance punishments for offences committed against vulnerable victims, namely children, as well as the Ministry of Education’s decision to replace streaming in schools with subject-based banding.
On the latter, Koh stressed that it would help to remove stigmatisation and may provide “a more conducive platform” for students of different talents to integrate better.
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