How It Started

No. of Enterprises

66 Donated

1000
Target

How It Started

It all started with putting a smile on every child’s face. That’s what happiness is all about.

It all started with about 40 to 50 SMSes sent on Boxing Day in 2008.

That day, on a business trip in China, Mr Kurt Wee, Chairman of Children’s Society’s Appeals Standing Committee (now known as Community Engagement and Partnerships Standing Committee) crafted an SMS and sent it to his business contacts. The message appealed to a number of enterprises, some were small, others medium in size and a few large ones, for donations. The sum mooted was $1,000 a year, for three years, to help children under the Society’s care.

It was indeed a really pleasant surprise as replies started coming back almost immediately, with business owners committing their support.

“I was very encouraged when even small enterprises came forward to help”

Mr Kurt Wee

A few days later, Children’s Society had raised about $40,000, and that created the 1000 Enterprises for Children-in-Need programme.

Not bad for an idea born a few days before Christmas, over a coffee session with Mr Koh Choon Hui, Chairman of Singapore Children’s Society.

The project was officially launched on 25 February 2009 at the Society’s Corporate Office. Attending the launch was Mr Koh Choon Hui, then Chief Executive Officer Mr Alfred Tan, then Senior Director of the Fundraising Department, staff as well as members of the press.

“As a voluntary welfare organisation, the need for funds increases during a recession. Business-wise, we can be more frugal, but we can’t expect the children’s needs to fluctuate with the economy.

“We don’t want to turn away those who need help just because we don’t have the resources to do so”

Mr Koh Choon Hui

Singapore Children’s Society hopes that the generosity of these organisations will light up the future of its beneficiaries.