Category: ChariTrees

• President Tharman Shanmugaratnam will be officiating the Light-Up Ceremony of ChariTrees 2023 for the first time. 
• Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade to be lit up by 80 Christmas Trees for five weeks through Tuesday 26 Dec 2023
• ChariTrees 2023 welcomes new beneficiary – Singapore Cancer Society (SCS) – alongside existing beneficiaries: TRCL, SPD and Samaritans of Singapore (SOS)
• Public can donate to the respective beneficiaries via the national giving platform https://www.giving.sg/home

SINGAPORE, 20 November 2023 – True to its theme of Luminosity, ChariTrees 2023 will transform the Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade into a luminous wonderland from Monday 20 November till Tuesday 26 December 2023.

ChariTrees is an annual fundraiser, organised by 4 charities – TRCL, Singapore Cancer Society (SCS), SPD and Samaritans of Singapore (SOS), that sees specially designed Christmas trees light up the Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade. ChariTrees brings the festive spirit to the public during the year-end holiday season as well as raise much-needed funds for beneficiaries.

Mr. Tan Puay Kern, Chairman of the ChariTrees 2023Organising Committee says: “We have made ChariTrees into a shared platform for charity fund raising, bringing together different social service organisations to raise the much-needed funds for their respective beneficiaries. This year, we are raising funds for the TRCL’s Business Times Budding Artists Fund, the Samaritans of Singapore, SPD, and the Singapore Cancer Society. The success of this collaborative effort reaffirms our decision to go down this path. We strongly believe that this shared platform and many helping hands approach will make ChariTrees an even more meaningful and effective charity event.”

To date, ChariTrees 2023 has raised $705,000. The funds raised will be used to raise awareness about Arts opportunities underserved children and youth; Fight for Cancer Free Community; Empowering persons with disabilities; Suicide prevention.

This year, ChariTrees will feature a record of 80 trees around the Marina Promenade.

Mr Tan is heartened by the response to the programme over the years. He says: “ChariTrees is a wonderful example of how planting a seed can result in a forest of opportunities. When we planted the seed for ChariTrees in 2011, we only had 25 Christmas trees. Today, ChariTrees has certainly flourished and grown into much more than a garden.”

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam will be officiating the Light-Up Ceremony of ChariTrees 2023 for the first time, at the Event Square of Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade, on Monday, 20 November, at 7:00 pm. The media is invited to cover this event from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. 

ChariTrees 2023 continues to increase its outreach in our community and rally support towards causes that have become more apparent in recent years. These are namely the availability and accessibility of physical and mental health services and resources for children and youth confronted with the increasing pressures of society.

Mr Colin Goh, CEO TRCL says, “Although we have left the hardest days of the pandemic behind us, there are still many that have fallen through the cracks. ChariTrees 2023 seeks to help the underserved in our society, and act as a shining beacon of hope in this festive season, hence the theme of Luminosity.This hopefully serves as a spark and a reminder to all of us that we can become the beacons for others amongst us, like the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. The funds raised through ChariTrees will help the charities reach out and assist their beneficiaries to overcome their challenges and achieve a better quality of life. Every amount, no matter how small or large, will definitely help the beneficiaries.” TRCL manages the Business Times Budding Artists Fund, which supports underserved children and youth aged six to 19 years old in their pursuit of the arts.

Mr Abhimanyau Pal, Chief Executive Officer of SPD, adds: “The ChariTrees project has provided an invaluable opportunity for charities to collaborate. The synergy generated has certainly resulted in greater support and awareness in our communities. We are very grateful to our donors for their generosity and enabling us to bring hope and smiles to persons with disabilities during this season of giving.” SPD seeks to develop the potential of people with disabilities of all ages to become independent and self-reliant.

Says Mr Gasper Tan, Chief Executive Officer of SOS: “We are grateful for the immense support from our donors, whose significant contributions will enable us to continue providing free and accessible programmes and services to those who may need crisis care. A platform like ChariTrees helps to create a sense of community and encourage open conversations, as we continue to be an available lifeline to anyone in crisis.” Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) carries out suicide prevention, intervention and postvention services.

Newly added beneficiary SCS aims to be Singapore’s leading charity in the fight for a cancer-free society, and to minimise cancer and maximise lives through effective programmes.

Albert Ching, CEO of Singapore Cancer Society, says: “We are delighted and grateful that TRCL has invited Singapore Cancer Society (SCS) to participate as one of the beneficiaries for ChariTrees 2023. During this time of giving and in light of the Christmas spirit, we look forward to the continuous support of the community. Your generous contributions will significantly aid in sustaining SCS’s programmes and services, ranging from cancer control and prevention to patient support services and palliative care, which will enable and empower cancer patients and survivors to live a meaningful life beyond cancer. I am also elated to share that the Singapore Cancer Society will be celebrating our 60th anniversary in 2024! We have been steadfast in our mission to support anyone in their cancer journey at all stages. As an independent organisation, community support is crucial in our work. Thank you once again for including us for the biggest ChariTrees light-up to date. We look forward to a continued partnership which will enable SCS to be better placed to serve and support the Singapore cancer community for many years to come.”

In line with tradition, ChariTrees 2023also serves as a platform to recognise the contribution of individuals who have uplifted the lives of the underserved in our society. five ChariTrees will feature the stories of the award winners of Singapore Silent Heroes. (See Annex A for the list of Community Heroes)

ChariTrees 2023 has raised $705,000 to date with the support of corporate and individual donors.

Platinum Donors include Asian Tour Limited, Century Evergreen, DBS Bank, Dialine Diagnostic Systems Pte. Ltd., Dr and Mrs Daniel Fung, Green Link Digital Bank Pte Ltd, L-QuBE Pte Ltd, Mind the Gap 200 Fund, Mobilus, Newline Asia Services Pte Ltd, NTUC FairPrice Foundation, Pavilion Capital, PropNex Realty, STEELMECH Engineering Services Pte Ltd, Tan Chin Tuan Foundation, TS Group, Wang Learning Centre Pte Ltd.

Gold Donors include 64 Club Street, Arrowcrest Technologies Pte Ltd, Certis, CMA Mental Arithmetic Centre Pte Ltd, Genesis Advisors, GL Engineering & Construction Pte Ltd, Holywell Foundation Limited, Kai, Yi, Megan, Natalie & Lauren, Lih Ming Construction Pte Ltd, MBS, Mr & Mrs Low Junwei, Nunchi Marine Pte. Ltd., Olayan Capital Pte. Ltd., OUE, Presto Expat Motoring Services Pte Ltd, Sunningdale Tech Ltd, The UpperRoom, Takeda Pharmaceuticals (Asia Pacific) Pte Ltd.

Silver Donors include Ascent Advisory, AsiaCloud Solutions Pte Ltd, Brilliance Capital Pte. Ltd., Buss Global, C&W Electronics Pte Ltd, Chee Yin Chia, Healthy Lifestyle Group, Hong Lam Marine Pte Ltd, National Healthcare Group Diagnostics, Rainmaker Shows Pte Ltd, SCSK Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, Sir Stamford Raffles Lodge Number 7444, TE Welgrow Engineering Pte Ltd, TTJ Design & Engineering Pte Ltd, Yong Fong Engineering & Construction Pte Ltd, Youjoy Pte Ltd.

ChariTrees 2023 is managed and curated by Global Cultural Alliance, a wholly owned subsidiary of charity arts organisation TRCL. ChariTrees 2023 partners include production partner Rich-Art Enterprises Pte Ltd, and venue partner Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).

The public may support ChariTrees via the national fundraising site giving.sg till 26 December as follows:

• BT BAF by TRCL – https://www.giving.sg/donate/campaign/trcl-charitrees-2023
• SOS – https://www.giving.sg/donate/campaign/samaritans-of-singapore-limited_charitrees_2023  
• SPD – https://www.giving.sg/donate/campaign/spd_spdcharitrees2023
• SCS – https://www.giving.sg/donate/campaign/singapore-cancer-society_charitrees_2023_singapore_cancer_society

• ChariTrees 2022 welcomes new beneficiary – SPD – alongside existing beneficiaries: #Engage Initiative by TRCL and Samaritans of Singapore (SOS)
• Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade to be lit up by 54 specially designed Christmas Trees for five weeks through Monday, 26 Dec 2022
• Public can donate to the respective beneficiaries via giving.sg

SINGAPORE 19 November 2022 – Annual fundraiser ChariTrees returns on a larger scale in more ways than one. The 12th edition of ChariTrees will feature over 50 trees that will set the Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade aglow from Sunday 20 November till Monday 26 December 2022. Previous editions — with some exceptions — usually feature an average of 30 trees.

The fundraiser also sees a new charity, SPD in addition to TRCL and SOS from the previous two years. To date, ChariTrees 2022 has raised over half a million dollars, a 1.5-fold increase from the last two years. The funds raised will be distributed between the three beneficiaries.

SPD seeks to develop the potential of and enable people with disabilities of all ages to be as independent and self-reliant as possible. Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) carries out suicide prevention, intervention and postvention services and TRCL’s #ENGAGE Initiative which provides vulnerable children with digital devices and digital-art programmes to equip them with know-how and creative skills.

Says Mr Tan Puay Kern, Chairman of the ChariTrees 2022 Organising Committee, “We are extremely heartened by the continued support as we emerge from the pandemic; a true demonstration of this year’s theme – “Care. Give. Live”. Thanks to the care and generosity of our donors, sponsors, partners, and members of the general public, we are able to raise significantly more funds and present a larger line-up than the past two years. ChariTrees is a meaningful and excellent platform for charities to come together and raise funds for their respective beneficiaries. We hope that this movement will be a source of encouragement to all as we work together to serve those in need, who in turn would be able to face their challenges and have a better life.”

ChariTrees is an annual event that sees specially designed Christmas trees light up Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade to bring cheer to the public during the year-end-festive season as well as fundraise for beneficiaries.

The official Light Up Ceremony of ChariTrees 2022 will be officiated by President Halimah Yacob at the Event Square of Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade, on Sunday, 20 November 6.45 pm. The media is invited to cover this event from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm.

In this, ChariTrees 2022 seeks to reach a wider segment of the community and rally support towards causes which have become more urgent in the past two years. These are namely the availability and accessibility of physical and mental health services and resources for children and youth confronted with the digital divide.

Says Mr Abhimanyau Pal, Chief Executive Officer of SPD, “We are honoured to join this meaningful platform and are heartened by the immense support from our donors. The past two years have indeed been challenging in many ways. We are deeply encouraged by the amount of funds we have raised which will certainly go far in empowering generations of persons with disabilities to lead independent and fulfilling lives.”

ChariTrees 2022 has raised $585,510 to date. Platinum Donors include British Theatre Playhouse Ltd, DBS, Dr & Mrs Daniel Fung, L-QuBE Pte Ltd, Mind the Gap 200 Fund, NTUC FairPrice Foundation Ltd, Pavilion Capital, Wang Learning Centre. Gold Donors include Arrowcrest Technologies Pte Ltd, Century Evergreen, Certis CISCO Security Pte. Ltd., CME Group, Lih Ming Construction Pte Ltd, Nokia Solutions And Networks Singapore Pte. Ltd., Red Hat, RichArt Enterprises Pte Ltd, TTJ Design and Engineering. Silver Donors include abrdn Charitable Foundation, AsiaCloud Solutions Private Limited, Buss Global, Esso Singapore, Fivepointfive Medical Hub, Foochow Methodist Church, Hong Lam Marine Pte Ltd, Ms Ho Ching, Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple, PAP Community Foundation, Presto Expat Motoring Services Pte Ltd, Rainmaker Shows Pte Ltd, Rubin Holdings, The Tan Family, and T.E Welgrow Engineering Pte Ltd. There has also been generous support from the public on the various charities’ respective giving.sg fundraising pages.

Mr Phan Ming Yen, Chief Operating Officer of TRCL added, “As we strive for better days beyond the pandemic and navigate different challenges ahead, we hope that the theme of ChariTrees 2022, ‘Care. Give. Live’, will serve as an inspirational reminder that regardless of background or ability, we all have the capacity to care and give generously to those in need so that they live with dignity and respond to their challenges more confidently.”

Says Mr Gasper Tan, Chief Executive of SOS, “This 12th edition of ChariTrees marks yet another special celebration, as we come together to bring light to the uplifting work our community has done. The support from our donors and partners has been heartening, and extremely important as we continue to strengthen our key initiatives in mental health and suicide prevention.”

In line with tradition, ChariTrees 2022 will also recognise the contribution of individuals and organisations (Community Heroes) who have uplifted the lives of the underserved in our society. This year, in celebration of the addition of SPD to the group of charities, the community heroes of ChariTrees 2022 will include winners and finalists of the annual Singapore Silent Hero Awards and organisations which have, in their own way, uplifted the lives of those with physical and/or mental challenges. (See Annex A for the list of Community Heroes)

ChariTrees 2022 is managed and curated by Global Cultural Alliance, a wholly-owned subsidiary of charity arts organisation TRCL. ChariTrees 2022 partners include production partner Rich-Art Enterprises Pte Ltd, and venue partner Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).

• President of Singapore Halimah Yacob officiates light-up of ChariTrees at Marina Bay on Sunday, 15 November 2020, 7 pm
• Light-up honours community heroes who have stepped up during the Covid-19 public health crisis
• Fundraises for Samaritans of Singapore and the #ENGAGE initiative which addresses needs that have arisen during this period, funds raised to-date $211,000

15 November 2020 – On Sunday evening 15^th November, annual fundraising movement ChariTrees 2020 will light up Marina Bay this year in support of the fight against the ongoing Covid-19 public health crisis.

ChariTrees 2020 will focus on two social causes that have become urgent during the current situation and recognise the efforts of community heroes who have contributed for the betterment of the underserved during this period.

The two social causes are: Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) which carries out intervention and suicide prevention services and the #ENGAGE Initiative by arts and culture organisation TRCL which provides vulnerable children with digital devices and digital-art programmes to equip them with know-how and creative skills. These charities epitomise key concerns wrought by the pandemic that many Singaporeans are facing this year: mental well-being and digital inclusivity. To date, the ChariTrees movement has raised about $211,000 for these two charities.

Says Mr Tan Puay Kern, Chairman of the ChariTrees 2020 Organising Committee, “We are grateful to all our donors, sponsors and partners for their support and generous giving spirit. As 2020 draws to a close, we hope the ChariTrees will be a source of inspiration and light to all of us, cheering us on in our fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
“In such challenging times, it is even more important that we continue to remember and support those in need amongst us. Together, we can make this year-end season of giving and goodwill more meaningful and significant.”

Now in its 10^th year, ChariTrees is a movement that sees Marina Bayfront Waterfront Promenade being lit up by specially designed Christmas Trees. Past beneficiaries of ChariTrees have included The Business Times Budding Artists Fund which provide arts education for economically distanced young talents and the Community Chest. ChariTrees 2020 is organized by arts and culture organisation, TRCL (The Rice Company Ltd).

ChariTrees 2020 will also recognise the efforts of individuals whom throughout this public health crisis have stepped out to alleviate the challenges and suffering faced by the underserved.

These community heroes include (see Annex A for details):

• Park$2Project which collaborated with Kindness Mart delivered essentials to the needy
• Project Stable Staples which raised funds to support those living in rental blocks during the Circuit Breaker period
• Art4SGMW, a team of psychotherapists and art practitioners, who supported the emotional well-being of migrant workers during the public health crisis
• PleaseStay. Movement which advocates support for suicide prevention and mental health amongst youths in Singapore.

Says Mr Gasper Tan, Chief Executive of Samaritans of Singapore, “During celebratory periods, there are pockets of society that may not have the privilege to celebrate with their loved ones. The trees are dedicated to those who are struggling during this period. It also serves as a reminder that no matter how tough it gets in the journey of life, one does not have to face the challenges alone.”

President Halimah Yacob will officiate the light-up of the trees this Sunday 15^thNovember. In keeping with on-going safe distancing measures, the light up will be streamed online to donors and stakeholders on the evening after the event. The trees will light up Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade up till 26 December.

Adds Mr Tan Tee Tong, Chief Operating Office, of co-organiser TRCL: “We’re indeed grateful for the support shown by our donors who keep the spirit of giving alive during this difficult time. ChariTrees allows us to enrich the community and the lives of our most vulnerable and needy.”

The donors of ChariTrees 2020 are: Gold Donors — Arrowcrest Technologies Pte Ltd, Certis, PAP Community Foundation, and Sian Chay Medical Institution; Silver Donors — Century Evergreen Pte Ltd, Dr Daniel Fung, and Hatten Group. Our partners include production partner Rich-Art Enterprises Pte Ltd, venue partner Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), and marketing partner Northpoint City.