- 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).