SINGAPORE - Preparing to usher in the Chinese New Year on Wednesday (Jan 24) were 130 beneficiaries from the SPD charity and close to 200 UOB employees and clients.
Led by Mr Wee Ee Cheong, UOB's deputy chairman and chief executive officer, the bank's team purchased Chinese New Year groceries and treats from Kallang Wave Mall's FairPrice Xtra supermarket.
They then moved to the SPD Tiong Bahru headquarters, where Mr Wee gave out red packets and goodie bags. Children were also given t-shirts and stationery.
SPD is a local charity which works with adults, youth and children with disabilities.
Mr Lim Chin Hwa, one of the beneficiaries, said: "Hearing the Lunar New Year songs and seeing the Spring Festival decorations put me in a festive mood. Receiving an early red packet to treat my family and myself and having new friends to shop with is a great start to the New Year."
The 'PayNow for a Cause' fundraising campaign - SPD and UOB's previous collaboration - raised over $120,000, said Mr Tan Soo Nan, chairman of SPD's fundraising committee.
Wednesday's event was a prelude to UOB's Lunar New Year fundraising dinners, which will be held on February 20 and 21.
The Bank will be raising funds then through an art auction. Donations from the auction will go to The Business Times Budding Artists Fund, The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, SPD and The Red Pencil Singapore.
