UOB Group Commercial Banking and more than 800 of its clients gathered this evening to welcome the Year of the Rat at The Ritz-Carlton, Millennia Singapore. In keeping with the tradition of generous giving as part of the Bank’s annual Spring festival celebrations, UOB’s clients and colleagues collectively raised more than $1.8 million for local charities.
The fundraiser included a silent auction of a specially-commissioned art piece by Mr Tan Rui Rong, winner of the Silver Award in the 2013 UOB Painting of the Year Singapore competition. Titled ‘Spring’, the painting features blooming orchids and sprouting seedlings that symbolise bountiful blessings.
The painting, which also included finishing touches by Mr Wee Ee Cheong, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, UOB, was won by Mr Karsono Kwee of Eurokars Group with a bid of $103,000.
UOB Group Commercial Banking kicked off its Lunar New Year fundraising series of activities earlier this month through an art jamming session for clients and 20 children from disadvantaged backgrounds1, followed by an early reunion dinner for underprivileged families and seniors2. The Bank matched its clients’ donations dollar for dollar, up to $250,000.
The beneficiaries of this year’s UOB Group Commercial Banking Lunar New Year fundraising efforts are the Central Singapore Community Development Council, The Business Times Budding Artists Fund, The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund and Very Special Arts.
1 Please refer to UOB news release: UOB Group Commercial Banking raises $200,000 in the first stage of its annual festive fundraising campaign for charity, 10 January 2020.
2 Please refer to UOB news release: Racing into the Year of the Rat - UOB starts Lunar New Year celebrations early with families and seniors from disadvantaged backgrounds, 13 January 2020