Marina Bay Sands raises over S$4 million to benefit the community

MARINA Bay Sands (MBS) has raised more than S$4 million for the local community in a series of fund-raising activities over the past month, which culminated in the Sands for Singapore Charity Festival held earlier this month.

The 3-day event began with a special edition of Spectra, MBS’ light and water show. Beneficiaries from Care Corner Singapore, and mentees from the integrated resort’s youth mentoring programme with Care Singapore, were present to enjoy the festivities, which featured performances by local artistes.

The Community Chest Heartstrings Walk also returned in physical and virtual formats this year. The physical segments included a vertical marathon, which saw Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Social and Family Development Eric Chua and other participants racing up 57 floors to the Sands SkyPark observation deck. There was also a 4km walk at the Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade that drew over 3,300 participants.

The public can take part in an ongoing virtual walk till Oct 2. About S$2 million has been raised to date through corporate donations and community involvement.

All proceeds raised through the Heartstrings Walk will be channelled to over 100 social service agencies and more than 200 programmes through Community Chest to empower children with special needs and youth-at-risk, adults with disabilities, persons with mental health conditions, and seniors and families in need of assistance.

Among the other fundraising activities was a marketplace that featured 15 booths set up by non-profit organisations (NGOs), social enterprises and small local businesses.

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Participating community partners raised awareness and funds through the sale of unique items – some handmade by beneficiaries themselves. All proceeds were retained by the NGOs and social enterprises, ensuring that more funds went to their beneficiaries directly, while the small businesses donated at least 10 per cent of the proceeds to charity.

The proceeds of sales of food items from 2 of MBS’ signature restaurants, Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer and Yardbird Southern Table & Bar, were donated to Community Chest, benefiting over 100 social service agencies.

MBS employees contributed over 2,000 volunteer hours to the fundraising effort, as they assembled and delivered food kits to The Food Bank Singapore’s beneficiaries and donated blood to boost Singapore’s blood bank supplies with Singapore Red Cross.