This season of giving, CapitaLand is rallying its employees, tenants and shoppers to give back to the community through a series of charity events and fundraisers across its Singapore properties. Through these events, CapitaLand targets to contribute up to S$166,000 towards various charity organisations to build an inclusive and caring society.
Taking place at Junction 8 was CapitaLand’s annual My Schoolbag programme supported by CapitaLand Hope Foundation (CHF), the philanthropic arm of CapitaLand. Each of the 183 children beneficiaries – including students from the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS) and the Association for Persons with Special Needs (APSN) – received a new school bag, as well as school and daily necessities worth S$150. Accompanied by over 170 CapitaLand staff volunteers, the young beneficiaries went through a simulated shopping experience while picking up tips about prudent spending. Through an educational skit, they also learnt the importance of saving for the future, reducing food waste and leading a healthy lifestyle.
The children beneficiaries at Junction 8 this morning were among the first in Singapore to get their hands on CapitaLand’s popular year-end gift wrappers. This year’s design features carnival-inspired motifs drawn by Mr Jovan Neo, a 19-year-old special needs artist from The Art Faculty, a platform that promotes the abilities of people with autism and related challenges. The design of the gift wrappers resonates with the carnival-themed décor that CapitaLand malls across Singapore are decked out to mark the festive season. Shoppers can redeem the special edition gift wrappers at participating CapitaLand malls from 16 November 2018.
Mr Tan Seng Chai, Group Chief People Officer of CapitaLand Group and Executive Director for CapitaLand Hope Foundation, said: “From developing inclusive and accessible buildings to our philanthropic activities, CapitaLand firmly believes in fostering an inclusive community through our actions. We leverage our real estate network and tap on the strong spirit of volunteerism within CapitaLand to build a more caring Singapore. For the second consecutive year, our staff volunteers will interact and guide special needs students. This year, we are engaging beneficiaries from MINDS and APSN in CapitaLand’s My Schoolbag programme, which supports the educational needs of the underprivileged children in our shared communities. We are also supporting The Art Faculty and showcasing the talent of special needs artist Jovan Neo through our malls’ gift wrappers.”
Mr Wilson Tan, CEO of CapitaLand Retail, said: “We are delighted to leverage CapitaLand’s unique advantage as Singapore’s largest mall operator in galvanising our employees, tenants, and shoppers to do good. CapitaLand’s centrally-located and well-connected malls are magnets for crowds and are especially popular with shoppers during the festive season. They are thus well-positioned to amplify the fundraising initiatives of charity organisations. This season of giving, CapitaLand Retail is pleased to work with CHF and partners to support and promote a variety of meaningful causes across our malls. Through these efforts, we hope to provide a meaningful retail experience for our shoppers and to do our part in fostering a more caring, compassionate and inclusive society in Singapore.”
Examples of giving activities at CapitaLand properties include CapitaLand Giving Marketplace at Raffles City Singapore on 27 November, where charities and social enterprises are offered space to promote their merchandise and volunteer opportunities to the public. For every transaction at the CapitaLand Giving Marketplace, CHF will donate S$6 to the participating charities. Over at Plaza Singapura, shoppers can donate any amount they wish for the giftwrapping service provided by volunteers from Blossom World Society from 12 December to 23 December. At Bedok Mall, shoppers take home one mini plant for every S$10 contribution, which will be matched dollar-for-dollar by CHF, to benefit MINDS and Very Special Arts (VSA) Singapore.