1 The Labour Movement concluded the year’s fund-raising efforts with U Care Charity Dinner 2011, the last fundraiser of the year. Jointly hosted by NTUC President, Mr John De Payva and NTUC Secretary-General, Mr Lim Swee Say, the event was graced by some 600 donors and guests comprising union leaders, management partners and corporate donors, who came together to show their support towards the low-income members and their families.
2 Through sale of dinner tables and outright donations, a total of $553,500 for NTUC U Care Fund was raised through U Care Charity Dinner. Key donors through the dinner comprise the Tote Board and Singapore Pools which contributed $80,000, CapitaLand Hope Foundation and Singapore Buddhist Lodge which contributed $50,000 each, as well as one of NTUC’s affiliated unions, the United Workers of Electronic and Electrical Industries (UWEEI) which came up with $40,000 of donation.
3 The contributions from the dinner brings the total fundraising amount garnered under NTUC U Care Fund in 2011 to $10,265,764, beating its target of $10 million set early this year.
4 “Once again, we witnessed the strength of our Labour Movement family, coming together and having our heart and purpose aligned to reach out to the low-income workers and families. Together, we cross our fundraising target of $10 million and this will help us reach out to more low-income NTUC members and their families”, Mr Zainudin Nordin, Director of NTUC Care and Share commented.
U & Me coming together – Made the difference
5 Since the early days, the Labour Movement family stood firmly by U Care initiative’s mission to become a Caring Labour Movement that helps improve the lives of our low-income members and their families; as well as to level the playing field for needy children and help the elderly in the community.
6 “U & Me” came together, including the Singapore Labour Foundation (SLF), NTUC social enterprises, our affiliated unions and association, management and tripartite partners, with a show of force to help these low-income workers, thereby making a difference in their lives. None of these would have been possible without these key pillars to U Care initiative through the years.
7 At the dinner tonight, about 80 donors who have contributed to the NTUC U Care Fund this year, would be presented with a special U Care Token of Appreciation to recognise them for their kind support and faith towards U Care initiative.
50 years of Caring Together – Benefitted many
8 NTUC U Care Fund reaches out to the low-income members and families through assistance programmes such as U Stretch vouchers, U Care Back-to-School vouchers, U Care Education Co-Funding scheme and Family Recreation & Fun Carnivals. These helped them in terms of their daily living and expenditure. The Fund also contributes to NTUC First Campus Bright Horizons Fund and NTUC Eldercare Trust to help needy children and the elderly respectively.
9 Since 2008 to date, the Labour Movement raised more than $57.3 million under NTUC U Care Fund, and these funds go out to more than 100,000 beneficiaries on a yearly basis through the various assistance programmes. Many members have received continual help from these programmes over the years.
10 “As the sole breadwinner of the family, it can be quite tough having to support a family of eight. The various assistance programmes extended have been most helpful to my family, especially with my kids’ schooling expenses. Thank you U Care Fund for improving my family’s life and helping us cope better,” commented Mr Eskandar bin Sabtu, 35, with six school-going children from 5 -14 yrs old, recipient of U Care Back-To-School vouchers for the past five years and recipient of U Stretch vouchers for the past three years.
11 This year, NTUC U Care Fund has set aside $11.7 million to be disbursed through the various assistance programmes, with an aim to reach out to about 130,000 low-income members. In April 2011, the U Stretch programme was rolled out to help low-income members cope with the rising cost of living. Each successful applicant will receive $100 worth of vouchers, which will be valid for use at selected NTUC Social Enterprises from 1 August 2011 till 31 January 2012. Details of the other assistance programmes will be announced when they are rolled out.
