Jennie Chua marks 80th birthday in philanthropic style
A charity gala coinciding with her milestone birthday raises S$3.5 million; the beneficiaries are Community Chest, Woodlands Health Fund and The Business Times Budding Artists Fund
MORE than S$3.5 million was raised last Saturday (May 25) at The Legacy of Giving Charity Gala.
The event, which took place at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, coincided with the 80th birthday celebrations of veteran hotelier Jennie Chua, who is also known for her philanthropy.
The beneficiaries of the charity drive were Community Chest, Woodlands Health Fund, and The Business Times Budding Artists Fund, which is managed by The Rice Company Limited (TRCL).
Gilbert Madhavan, general manager of One Farrer Hotel and chairman of the organising committee for the event, said: “It was the first time we came together as volunteers to celebrate the spirit of giving, which Ms Jennie Chua has been championing all her life. We felt it would speak volumes to organise a dinner for the causes she cares the most about – the community, the elderly and children.”
Colin Goh, chief executive of TRCL, said: “The event exemplified the power of community and the impact of philanthropy... The collective efforts of all involved, from performers to chefs, underscored the shared commitment to uplifting those in need.”
The menu for the evening was curated by communications veteran Lynn Yeow De-Vito, in collaboration with chefs from several Michelin-starred restaurants. Culinary icons who offered their inputs included Singapore chef and restaurateur Violet Oon, Julien Royer of French restaurant Odette, Cheung Siu Kong of Summer Pavilion, Kirk Westaway of Jaan, Matteo Ponti of Braci and the Singapore Pastry Alliance.
Chua was the first female general manager of Raffles Hotel in 1990, and the chief executive of Raffles Holdings from 2003 till 2007. She also helmed the Ascott Group until 2012, and is a co-founder of Beeworks, a company which brought Jollibee Foods to Singapore.
The gala event included performances by the Singapore Chinese Girls’ School (Chua’s alma mater), Singapore singer Kit Chan and singer-songwriter and playwright Dick Lee. Indonesian singer and America’s Got Talent finalist Putri Ariani impressed guests with her rendition of Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You, while 15-year-old Singaporean Lim Jing Rui did a solo whistling act.
The evening also featured the Guangdong Acrobatic Arts Theatre and a live auction of items donated by corporates and friends of Chua.
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