Meet Our SHARE Donors

 

	Mr Yuichiro Kubo Mr Yuichiro Kubo, a lecturer at a Temasek Polytechnic, has been supporting the needy through monthly donations to Community Chest’s SHARE programme for the past 14 years. He started off with a donation of $30 a month (a dollar per day) before he got married. With each new child born to the family, he increased his donation by a dollar every day for each person. Today, he donates $180 a month to SHARE, as a family of six - his wife and four children. “Giving, should be a daily thing, and should not be restricted to festive seasons,” said Mr Kubo.
	Mary Sim Ms Mary Sim, a nurse clinician, started donating through SHARE when she first started working at Singapore General Hospital 10 years ago. She pledged to donate $5 a month then. When she started work at Jurong Health - Alexandra Hospital in May last year, she increased her pledge to $10 a month. The high cost of supporting a child with special needs dawned on her recently when her relative’s child was diagnosed with moderate autism. Her relative spends around $2000 a month on early intervention programmes for the child. This motivated her to increase her SHARE donation to help people in similar circumstances who cannot afford such treatment. “$2000 is not a small amount, but we can really see a difference in his behaviour. Before that, he doesn’t like to socialize or make eye contact. Now, he will obey instructions and takes initiative to play with others.” said Ms Sim.  She said, “I thought of other parents who have children with autism who cannot afford the fees. Every child deserves a chance to maximize his or her potential. Hence, I decided to increase my donation amount to enable more children to receive the help they need.”
	Mr Abraham Tan Mr Abraham Tan, a culinary executive chef at Royal Plaza on Scotts, started donating through SHARE over 20 years ago. He started with donating $1 a month as his salary was only $500 then. Over the years, he increased his donation amount gradually and he donates $10 a month now. “When I see those who are less privileged, I feel that I’ve been so blessed. This is the least I can do.” Mr Tan said. He said, “If we want to live in a society that is caring, then everyone should play a part. The little that we have contributed may help another to achieve their dream.”
	Eliza Binte Ariffin 25-year-old Eliza Binte Ariffin is a management support officer from PUB who earns about $1500 a month. She started donating $30 a month to Community Chest through the SHARE programme after watching a Community Chest video presentation over a year ago. She was moved to tears after watching the video. “I saw an elderly sitting on a wheelchair, all alone, and the volunteer helping her. That was when I decided to do my part,” said Ms Eliza. She said: “$30 is just the amount I spend on a dinner outside, but it can go a long way in helping the less fortunate.”
	Suppaiyah Rethinavelu Mr Suppaiyah Rethinavelu, an assistant technician with PUB has been donating $30 every month to the SHARE program since its inception 26 years ago. As a loyal SHARE supporter, Mr Suppaiyah believes in giving, a value he has inculcated in his son from a young age. He has also encouraged his son, now 24 years old, to follow in his footsteps and participate in the SHARE programme.

Mr Tan Tiong Heng

I know the value of money all too well. My mother worked hard as a maid and a seamstress so that I could go to school. My father was a bankrupt and did not care for the family.

Mr Tan came from a humble background where his mother worked hard to provide for the family. Money was always tight. So it was with great joy and gratitude that he received his scholarship from his school. The scholarship changed his life; he could advance further. Ever grateful, Mr Tan strongly believes in giving back to the community. He believes in SHARE.

Mr Tan decided to give back to the community as soon as he could, and his very first donation came from his one month's national service allowance. The 2003 recession which took his job did not take away his passion and commitment towards the less advantaged. It inspired him even more to continue donating.

A SHARE donor since 2004, Mr Tan never looks back.

 

 

 

 

Meet our Individual Donor

 

Mr S M Kumar

My family and I spent 20 years in Singapore and we enjoyed the lifestyle and opportunities afforded to us. I was blessed to "receive" more than I needed or required. I thought it fit to share the excess with others who needed it more. But the donation I made last year was special to me; it was my way of saying thanks and paying back for all the things we were privileged to receive and learn during our stay in Singapore.

Why give to ComChest? ComChest as a single point of contact and fund manager will ensure that your donations go to the right place. ComChest will continue to monitor that your hard earned money is used in the right way. With inside information, ComChest can advise you about charities that need funds badly assuring equitable distribution. If you tell them the causes you wish to support, ComChest will provide you a list of qualifying charities - you don't have to run around. If you are awkward in doing social work but still wish to support good causes, ComChest is the way. Do what you do best - your business or profession and give ComChest the money you earned during the time you wished to spend on social service. ComChest will deliver your dreams in a professional way.

Mrs S M Kumar receiving the Community Chest Award on behalf of Mr Kumar.