The 11th edition of the “Sands for Singapore Charity Festival” has raised more than SGD5.2 million (US$4.1 million) for charities in Singapore. The event is organised by the Marina Bay Sands casino resort, a property run by a unit of gaming operator Las Vegas Sands Corp.
The venue’s promoter said in a press release that since the event’s inception in 2013, a total of over SGD45 million has been raised for local charities.
The charity initiative, dubbed “Where Hearts Come Together”, involved eight weeks of community engagement activities and other fundraising efforts, culminating in a three-day festival held at the Event Plaza of Marina Bay Sands from September 5 to 7.
Aside from several forms of entertainment, there were also “gourmet pop-ups by Marina Bay Sands’ signature restaurants and booths helmed by local non-profits and social enterprises,” according to the announcement.
The Marina Bay Sands promoter said that, as part of the initiative, some of its employees took part in eight weeks of volunteering activities supporting a wide range of causes.
“These efforts generated 7,700 volunteer hours, lifting the total number of volunteering hours contributed by team members to more than 132,000 since the integrated resort’s opening in 2010,” it stated.
The statement outlined that donations gathered this year will, among other causes, support persons with disabilities via vocational training; empower disadvantaged women to gain economic independence; and offer counselling and treatment for individuals with addictions.
The announcement cited Paul Town, the property’s chief operating officer, as saying: “We are deeply heartened by the generosity of the public and our team members in rallying behind meaningful causes through the Sands for Singapore Charity Festival. This strong show of collective support reflects the community’s enduring compassion and our long-term commitment.”
He added: “Marina Bay Sands will continue to deepen our involvement in advancing social impact in Singapore through sustained philanthropic efforts and long-term community partnerships.”
In August, Marina Bay Sands said it was “strengthening its commitment” to the city-state’s social service sector, by pledging SGD750,000 via a partnership with “Community Chest”, the philanthropy and social-engagement arm of the government’s National Council of Social Service.
