SINGAPORE Pools has launched a year-long fundraising effort with a target of S$1.5 million, and will set aside 15,000 square feet of retail space for social service agencies to use on a rent-free basis.

These initiatives were announced at the organisation’s 55th anniversary celebration, held at Gardens by the Bay on Tuesday (May 23). More than 350 people attended, including Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who was the event’s guest of honour.

The fundraiser, Community with a Heart, will leverage Singapore Pools’ network with the support of the Tote Board, in support of the Community Chest and other beneficiaries. Members of the public can also pledge their support for one of four causes – disadvantaged children, youth at risk, underprivileged families and elderly – through a mobile app.

Kai S Nargolwala, chairman of Singapore Pools, said: “Creating positive social impact is at the core of what we do at Singapore Pools. We continuously and creatively innovate to deter customers from turning to illegal online and offline gambling, and instead bet in a safe environment.

“Most importantly, we share and pass on our resources to the community – whether in the form of helping charities to digitalise through iShine Cloud, or by providing resources such as much-needed space for charities to operate from.”

“The organisation’s culture of making a positive social impact is reflected in its consistent passing on of 97 per cent of every one dollar to benefit Singaporeans,” added Chin Sau Ho, senior director of community partnerships and communications at the organisation.

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Speaking at the event, Tharman announced that Singapore Pools will convert 15,000 square feet of retail space at its Bukit Merah branch for social service agencies to use, rent-free.

This follows the conclusion of a trial at the Majestic Smart Seniors Applied Learning Centre, in partnership with RSVP Singapore The Organisation of Senior Volunteers.

The Bukit Merah space is the largest space that Singapore Pools has set aside for community use to date. It has been converting its spaces for community use since 2007; some agencies that have benefited from this scheme include Caring Fleet, Personalised Love, and Unlocking ADHD.

Moonlake Lee, founder of Unlocking ADHD, said that before moving into the rent-free space, her team worked remotely because they did not have an office space. “We can now work together more efficiently and conduct workshops for parents, youths and adults. These actions have allowed us to channel more funds to areas that serve our beneficiaries,” she said.

Students from Metta School, as well as other beneficiaries – including Sky Shen from ART:DIS, a non-profit dedicated to providing equal access to arts education for persons with disabilities – performed at Tuesday’s event, with renditions of songs such as The Moon Represents My Heart.