United Overseas Bank kicked off its annual festive fundraiser today, raising $200,000 for charity in one afternoon. The funds were raised among 20 UOB Group Commercial Banking clients who also demonstrated their artistic flair in a Lunar New Year art jamming session organised by the Bank.
During the session, UOB’s clients were joined by 20 children from The Business Times Budding Artists Fund (BT BAF)1 and Very Special Arts (VSA)2. BT BAF and VSA provide opportunities for children from financially disadvantaged backgrounds and people with disabilities respectively, to discover and to nurture their talent in art.
Together with the children, UOB’s clients let their creativity flow, wielding their paintbrushes as they filled their canvas with colourful images relating to Spring or “春” to welcome the start of the Lunar New year. The paintings included images such as peach blossoms, peonies and pussy willows to symbolise prosperity, wealth and good luck.
One of the clients that participated in the art jamming session is Ms Phuay Li Ying, Deputy Director, Corporate Development, Excelpoint Systems. Ms Phuay said, “As a passionate painter and artist myself, the opportunity to create my very own festive painting in collaboration with these talented children makes this year’s Lunar New Year extra meaningful for me. I appreciate UOB’s efforts in helping us to give back to the community and look forward to participating in future events.”
The art jamming session is the first event in the Bank’s annual Lunar New Year charity fundraising drive. The funds raised this year will go toward the Central Singapore Community Development Council, BT BAF, The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund and VSA.
1 BT BAF originated from a conviction that no child with the strong interest and potential in the arts should be denied the opportunity to develop his or her talents due to a lack of financial resources. BT BAF aims to level the playing field and reaches out to children and youths from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, ages six to 19, providing opportunities and access to the arts.
2 VSA Singapore is a local charity organisation dedicated to providing opportunities for people with disabilities to be involved in the arts. VSA Singapore has been running successful art programmes, workshops, competitions and art exhibitions for the special needs community, creating awareness among members of the public of their immense talent and resilience.
