The Lunar New Year festivities started early for more than 120 guests at a reunion dinner hosted by United Overseas Bank (UOB) Group Commercial Banking clients and colleagues at PARKROYAL on Beach Road. The guests – families and seniors from disadvantaged backgrounds – were invited through their connections with the Central Singapore Community Development Council (CDC), The Business Times Budding Artists Fund (BT BAF)1 and Very Special Arts (VSA)2.
Upon arrival, each guest was welcomed into a carnival-like space complete with festive music, roving magicians, face painters and balloon sculptors. They were given a goodie bag filled with items such as noodles, cookies and bak kwa which was sponsored by UOB clients and colleagues. Guests were also presented with auspicious Lunar New Year couplets containing wishes such as happiness and good health written by a Chinese calligrapher.
Mr Eric Tham, Head of Group Commercial Banking, UOB, said, “Every Lunar New Year, we look forward to carrying on our tradition of uniting with our clients to give back to the community. It is a special time of the year when we can help to spread the festive cheer among those who may not be able to celebrate the Lunar New Year as fully as they wish. We hope that today’s celebrations were not only enjoyable for our guests but also provided them with a memorable start to the Year of the Rat – the first animal in the Chinese zodiac cycle.”
Ms Denise Phua, Mayor of the Central Singapore District, said, “UOB is exemplary in carrying out its Corporate Social Responsibility and is steadfast in its giving throughout the year. This specially curated reunion dinner to include families in need in the community is yet another thoughtful gesture of the Bank’s leadership and staff. Businesses, like individuals, should aspire not only to be successful but also significant. I encourage more businesses to step up to include and impact those in need in our society, in a similarly consistent and committed way as UOB.”
Today’s reunion dinner is part of UOB Group Commercial Banking’s annual Lunar New Year outreach programme which will culminate in a fundraising dinner with clients on 29 January 2020. In addition to donations from the Bank’s clients and colleagues, a specially commissioned piece of art will be auctioned at the dinner to raise funds for BT BAF, Central Singapore CDC, 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.
