The North East Community Development Council (CDC) and NTUC FairPrice Foundation “Wish Upon A Silver Star” fund-raising project, raised $100,000 for 150 special needs beneficiaries and their families.
The three year campaign will be closed on Friday 4 December 2015, at MINDS Idea-Employment Development Centre (IEDC). The fund-raising efforts of folding origami stars received overwhelming support from the community since the project started in 2013. It has since benefitted 400 underprivileged elderly and young families living in the North East district. The funds raised had provided them with essential household items and provisions which they lacked of.
Grassroots, schools, Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs), community organisations and residents from the North East district have once again contributed one million origami stars. Evergreen Primary, a school outside of the district also came forward to support this campaign. For every 10 stars folded, the fund-raising received $1 in sponsorship. This year, the funds raised will go towards buying items such as mobility aids, furniture, electrical items and other essentials that could help ease our beneficiaries’ daily struggles. Among the beneficiaries to receive assistance are from Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore (CPAS), Metta Preschool @ Punggol, SPD, Christian Outreach to Handicapped and MINDS.
Adviser to Serangoon Grassroots Organisations, Ms Chan Hui Yuh, PBM will attend the three year collaboration finale at IEDC. She said, “It is indeed heartening to see our community come together to support others amongst us who are in need. Through this Wish Upon a Silver Star program, the simple acts of folding origami stars by the community will help our friends with special needs and their families get by their daily lives with more dignity and security. It is these acts of compassion that help us grow to become an even stronger and more caring community. Thank you to all who have come forward to support the program. Let’s continue to make giving and caring for our community a part of our lives.”
Mr Lum Hon Fye, General Manager, NTUC FairPrice Foundation said: “FairPrice Foundation continues to support the Wish Upon a Silver Star campaign for the third year to benefit needy families with special needs. As before, the community responded enthusiastically to the initiative by folding stars and together with North East CDC, we will fulfil our commitment and contribute a total of $100,000 to this cause. By working together, we can all build a more inclusive and caring society and do our part in building a better community for all.”
Mr Keh Eng Song, Chief Executive Officer for Minds are also happy with the effort by the community. He said, “We are grateful to North East CDC for recognising the individual value and abilities of persons with intellectual disability. Families of children with special needs require much community and at times, financial support and we thank this partnership between North East CDC and NTUC FairPrice Foundation for their generous contributions.”
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