On 30 September, The Business Times, CHIJ (Kellock) and The Arts House came together, for the second year running to create a fun-filled community event called Children for Children, in aid of ChildAid, an annual fundraising concert where proceeds will go towards The Business Times Budding Artists Fund and The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund. The inaugural Children for Children event last year saw 1,000 children from lower income families take the exhilaraIng ride on the Singapore Flyer on Children’s Day. This year, it was held at the Singapore Zoo and
aSracted close to 1,000 children from lower income families.
Mr Colin Goh, General Manager of The Arts House, comments, “The arts have a certain social responsibility towards the community in which it is born and it is no different for an arts organisaIon and venue like The Arts House. We are honoured to be able to conInue playing a role in helping children who are economically distanced this year through our efforts in raising funds for ChildAid.”
Children For Children at the Singapore Zoo was graced by Mr Sam Tan, Parliamentary Secretary of Ministry of Trade and Industry & Ministry of InformaIon, CommunicaIons and the Arts. This year’s event, titled “Into the Wild”, embarked on an adventurous concept. Each participant took on the role of the “Little Explorer” and with a treasure-hunt map, off they went in search of their favourite art-and-craft activities like finger puppet and face painting! Just as excitedly, the children hunted for the yummy food and drinks, such as hotdogs, ice-cream, candy floss, popcorn and Milo that were “hidden” in the forests and dirt treks. The event ended with a concert based on an original producIon by the pupils of CHIJ (Kellock).
All participants received goodie bags containing a set of staIonery items contributed and packed by the pupils and staff of the school, as well as a personalised note wishing each participant a “Happy Children’s Day”.
What widened the smile on the children’s faces was that each of them received a disposable camera, specially for them to capture their best memories with their friends at the zoo.
Explaining the significance of the camera, Mrs Clara Lim-Tan, Principal of CHIJ (Kellock) says, “The children will have the opportunity to not only document their experience at the zoo, but also have the creative space to capture the various sights and sounds and turn them into compelling visual stories. Through this shared experience, we hope to provide each child with an opportunity to see the world from a different perspecIve, and in the process, empower
each of them to express and tell their unique stories.”
In fact, the children would be able to send their best photos in for a photography contest, stand to win an attractive prize and have some of their wonderful photos showcased in a photo exhibiIon at the end of the year.
Employees from Business Times, Pico Art International Pte Ltd, Rabobank International and WBL Corporation Ltd came to volunteer as facilitators, helping and guiding the children as they explored the zoo.
Mr Alvin Tay, Editor of The Business Times (BT) says: “BT turns 33 on 1 October and this Children for Children event is part of its Anniversary celebrations. We started the fundraising for this initiative in the middle of August and I am pleased to report that we have raised more than $230,000. Donations, ranging from $200 to $20,000, came from individuals and companies. We are indeed touched by the generosity of many of our supporters. Our job now is to make sure that the children have a memorable Children’s Day at the Zoo.”
This entry was posted in Press Release on September 30, 2009 [hSp://baf.sg/?p=789] by superEco.