Taking heart

Community Chest Charity Gala 2014 raises over S$2.5m

The "Remembering Acts of Love - Community Chest Charity Gala 2014", the finale fundraising event organised by Community Chest under the Care & Share Movement, was the icing on the cake for Community Chest. It raised more than S$2.5 million, excluding the amount raised from the live and silent auctions, as well as the raffle draw held during the charity gala.

The dinner showcased creations by celebrity-chef restaurants Osia, Ocean Restaurant by Cat Cora and Forest. International masterchef Joel Robuchon also lent a hand by preparing an exclusive menu for a limited number of tables.

S$400,000 raised for Community Chest and adopted charities

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and the maritime community have raised S$400,000 for the Community Chest and MPA's two adopted charities: The Salvation Army Prison Support Services - Kids in Play, and Lighthouse School.

Pop-up food event in aid of Home Nursing Foundation

Another food event - a curated pop-up of local food folk - will be held in support of the Home Nursing Foundation. Makan Makan at The Sultan is a food pop-up fundraiser curated by Debby Kwong, one of the change makers under 50 for 50, a youth-led charity initiative to raise awareness and funds for lesser-known charities in Singapore. F&B names including Arbite, BIRD BIRD by Artichoke, Chalk Farm, Keith Crackling Roast, Morsels, Popaganda and SPRMRKT, will feature. The event will take place on Dec 6. A S$10 entry fee will be collected at the door, which will be donated to the Home Nursing Foundation.

Home Nursing Foundation provides integrated homecare services to patients in the comfort and familiarity of their homes. Many of its patients are elderly people who are economically challenged, semi-housebound or bed-bound and suffer from multiple chronic ailments such as stroke, heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.

Banda Street Project 2014

Two of the 11 walls at PwC's adopted Banda Street estate have been "upgraded" so far. Banda Street estate is a community of less privileged elderly living in small one-room apartments in Chinatown. The firm intends to make the walls of the estate more attractive by painting giant murals on them.

These murals will depict activities and places the elderly can associate with, celebrate the lives of pioneer residents, and exhibit local culture to tourists passing through the Chinatown district. Painting started in October and will be completed by March 2015.

By Kelly Tay

kellytay@sph.com.sg

@KellyTayBT

Taking Heart is a regular BT column highlighting charitable causes