StarHub employees celebrate an early Christmas with children from the centres with a DUCK tour and party
Singapore, 19 December 2008 – 50 Children from Tanjong Pagar and Serangoon Moral Family Service Centres were treated to an early Christmas celebration this afternoon when 30 StarHub employees took them for a special land and sea DUCK tour onboard an amphibious Vietnam War Craft, and organised a party for them filled with exciting performances, fun games and delicious food.
StarHub reaffirmed its commitment to charity by making a $100,000 donation to Tanjong Pagar and Serangoon Moral Family Service Centres through the StarHub Sparks Fund. StarHub’s donation will go towards aiding disadvantaged families supported by these centres.
StarHub does not intend to vary the quantum of its direct contributions to charity despite the economic downturn, and is committed to channeling one percent of its IDD revenue to the StarHub Sparks Fund.
Ms Jeannie Ong, StarHub’s Head of Corporate Communications and Investor Relations explained, “We recognise that the needy are the ones who will require the most financial assistance during these times of economic uncertainty, and we are committed to reach out to the disadvantaged and their families by funding community-based programmes that meet their growing needs and help them lead independent and fulfilling lives.”
StarHub’s commitment goes beyond financial giving as it actively seeks to promote the spirit of volunteerism among employees. Through StarHub’s Corporate Volunteerism Programme, all employees are given two days of paid leave every year to do voluntary work, on top of their annual leave entitlement.
At the Christmas party organised by StarHub this afternoon at Suntec City, StarHub employees entertained the children with games and song performances, while a “StarHub Santa” distributed goodies and posed for photographs with the children.
Ms Ong added, “We encourage StarHubbers to be directly involved in volunteer work by granting them the time and resources to do so, as they stand to gain from such meaningful experience. As a Chinese saying goes, when we help others, we are helping ourselves too.”
Ms Ang Bee Lian, Chief Executive Officer of the National Council of Social Service, said, “StarHub's commitment to charity, especially in these difficult times, serves as an exemplary role model for corporations. The number of individuals and families who need assistance from social service organisations continues to grow every year, and the unflagging support of companies like StarHub goes a long way towards helping charities provide the crucial programmes and resources that make a world of difference to those in need.”
Tanjong Pagar and Serangoon Moral Family Service Centres provide integrated remedial, preventive and developmental services to help families cope with their responsibilities and challenges. Social services provided by the centres include counselling, mentoring schemes, legal assistance schemes, study rooms and drop-in corners for youths.
Ms Ong presented the cheque of $100,000 to Mr Ong Ser Huan, Chairman of Serangoon Moral Family Service Centre Management Committee and Mr Udhia Kumar, Acting Director of Tanjong Pagar Family Service Centre, at the Christmas party.
Since StarHub was established in 2000, the company has donated some $5 million to help the less unfortunate.
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