ChariTrees 2023 raises S$705,000 towards social causes
Lindsay Wong
EIGHTY trees adorned with Christmas lights were lit up along the Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade on Monday (Nov 20), as part of an initiative to raise funds and rally support towards charitable causes.
The glittering display marked the 13th edition of ChariTrees 2023, an annual fundraiser co-organised by non-profit organisation The Rice Company Limited (TRCL), mental health organisation Samaritans of Singapore (SOS), Singapore Cancer Society (SCS) and SPD.
As at Monday, the initiative has raised S$705,000 from corporate and individual donors, and the donation drive is open to the public until Sunday.
The funds will be used for the organisations’ programmes and services, to build up resources and increase accessibility of physical and mental health services for children and youth.
They will also go towards rallying support for causes including suicide prevention, fighting for a cancer-free society and raising awareness about arts opportunities for underserved children.
Colin Goh, chief executive of TRCL, said: “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.”
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The light-up ceremony was officiated by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, and the trees will remain lit up until Dec 26. The number of lit-up trees was also a record high, and 30 more than last year’s edition.
Tan Puay Kern, chairperson of the ChariTrees 2023 organising committee, said: “When (TRCL chairperson and ChariTrees founder) Jennie Chua planted the seed for ChariTrees in 2011, we only had 25 Christmas trees, and raised about S$100,000 under the banner of the Community Chest. Today, ChariTrees has certainly flourished and grown into much more than a garden.”
Five of the trees will also display the stories of award winners of Singapore Silent Heroes, an initiative by the Civilians Association (Singapore) which recognises individuals who have uplifted the lives of the underserved.
ChariTrees is managed and curated by Global Cultural Alliance, a wholly owned subsidiary of TRCL. Its partners for this year’s edition include Rich-Art Enterprises and the Urban Redevelopment Authority.
TRCL manages The Business Times Budding Artists Fund, which gives underserved children and youth opportunities in the arts.
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