North West CDC’s Community Philanthropy Club raises S$500,000

SINGAPORE: The North West Community Development Council’s Community Philanthropy Club (Club 100 @ North West) has raised S$500,000 in the first half of 2012.

The money will go toward assisting 800 needy families every month.

A dinner was held at Gardens by the Bay on Tuesday evening in appreciation of its donors.

They received tokens of appreciation from National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan and Mayor for the North West District Dr Teo Ho Pin.

More than 100 new donors, both individuals and companies, joined the club in the past six months.

This is a 30 per cent increase in membership compared to the previous year.

The club now has 400 members in total. Dr Teo said the goal is to hit 500 members.

As the group is expected to exceed its yearly target of S$550,000, Dr Teo said the CDC is looking at expanding the type of assistance provided to families.

"Besides providing food vouchers and food rations, we are planning to provide cooked food for the needy families because some of the needy families have difficulties in cooking because they are very old and frail," he said.

Dr Teo said the group will also start providing cooked food to some families this year.

The club was started in 2008 and it is hoped that it will develop a culture of philanthropy in the district.

— CNA/wm