Cover Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
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Now that charity balls and benefit galas are back on the society calendar, the ladies behind them tell us where your support is much appreciated
Ball season is back—and already our society calendar is packed with the charity balls and benefit galas supporting various causes, from saving our oceans to making the arts accessible to everyone. The ladies behind these fundraisers tell us about the causes they are passionate about—and how every dollar counts.
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CELESTE BASAPA
Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation First Circle Member
Fundraising is like gold prospecting—it doesn’t matter where you find the nugget, it’s still precious. Likewise, it doesn’t matter how you get the charity dollar, whether it’s from a philanthropic donation or from people who pay for a glamorous good time [at a charity gala], it doesn’t lessen the value of the dollar.
I am concerned about the well-being of our planet, and I found a cause that resonates with me in the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. The planet, in its natural state, was a splendid place but mankind is not taking good care of it. Global warming has caused glaciers to melt, raising sea levels; deforestation becomes widespread; and animals are endangered because of selfish poachers. In Singapore, the foundation organises a biennial fundraising gala dinner, which is graced by His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, to raise funds and initiate action for this cause.
It is my wish that our planet reverts to much of its original state, which is not impossible if we act now. Firm (and punitive) measures have to be adopted by everyone. If nothing is done in our generation, I fear our grandchildren may not have a suitable place to live in. And [they] will accuse us of no action, but just a lot of, as Greta Thunberg says, “blah, blah, blah”.
The Ball in Monaco 2022 takes place on October 28, at Sands Expo and Convention Centre
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CAROLINE LOW-HEAH
Founding chairperson of Kidz Horizon Appeal
I founded a charity called Kidz Horizon Appeal in 2004. The organisation raises funds for needy children at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Over the past 18 years, we have raised more than SG$12 million and helped over 1,000 children with chronic illness.
The easiest way to contribute is [to make] donations directly into the fund. We do try to raise SG$1 million at our annual gala dinner, but it is getting harder every year.
A transformation I hope to see in the world is for ordinary folks to realise that there are a lot of other people worse off than themselves. Rather than complain about what you don’t have, be appreciative of what you have, and perhaps help the have-nots.
The Kidz Horizon Appeal Gala Dinner 2022 takes place on October 29, at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore
Read also: Kidz Horizon Virtual Dinner 2021
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SUSAN PEH
Vice-chairman of Jazz Association (Singapore)
The Jazz Association (Singapore) is Singapore’s first charity dedicated to developing jazz excellence, outreach, education, as well as strengthening cultural ties between Singapore and the rest of the world. We aspire to expand the jazz arts community, advance education through scholarships, bring jazz to the wider communities and cultivate new audiences through outreach. In July 2020, we added a new objective of supporting eligible local jazz musicians impacted by crisis with short-term financial aid.
This year, we launched the “Build Your Legacy Through Jazz” initiative which, for the first time in Singapore, enables donors with a cash donation (250 per cent tax deductible) from SG$2,500 to build their legacies and have exclusive naming rights to new, original jazz tunes specially composed for and dedicated to them and/or their loved ones, leading to a performance of the tune at a Jass concert.
The arts are a form of human reflection and have an extraordinary power to heal. It galvanises positive transformations in human development especially during these highly challenging and rapidly fluid times. It will continue to play an enormous role as an expression of our lives, values, beliefs, cultures and philosophies. It is crucial to embrace the arts so that we can always subsist as a humane society, and not just a digitally and scientifically advanced one.
In case you missed it: Jazz Association Singapore Benefit Gala 2022: Swing It! Raises More Than SG$700,000
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HO CHING LIN
Senior consultant at Singapore National Eye Centre and chairperson of The Eye Ball
Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. On a daily basis, I see how the loss of sight can have a catastrophic impact on lives, and how our work in eye care restoring sight and preventing blindness can be immensely and gratifyingly life-changing.
VisionSave is the charity set up to help our sight-saving and blindness prevention efforts in a comprehensive manner, from research and innovation, to education of future healthcare providers and the public, as well as care of needy patients.
I hope to see in the world leadership transformation for positive change in world order and peace; digital transformation for efficiency, agility, innovation and value; transformation in healthcare delivery for sustainability; social-ecological transformation to address the social and environmental crisis.
The Eye Ball takes place on November 4, at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore
In case you missed it: The Golden Eye Ball Raises $1.39 Million To Raise Awareness For Eye Health Through The VisionSave Initiative
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PEGGY JEFFS
President of Peranakan Association Singapore and chairperson of Singapore Red Cross International Bazaar
This June, I was elected the first female president of the Peranakan Association Singapore in its 122-year history. Our motto is “Keep The Culture Alive”, so many of our activities focuses on promoting the Peranakan culture by working closely with local organisations such as museums and schools. I am organising the New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner this year. The funds raised will support our various events and activities throughout the year.
I am also chairing the Singapore Red Cross International Bazaar in 2023. It brings cultures, cuisine, products of both local businesses and foreign embassies together. Understanding each other’s culture, food and way of life helps us establish stronger ties with other countries—and in doing so cement Singapore as a centre for multicultural harmony.
The Peranakan Association Singapore New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner takes place on December 31.
In case you missed it: The Peranakan Association Singapore Appoints Genevieve Peggy Jeffs as Its First Female President
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LAURA HWANG
Chairperson of Singapore Ballet
As a former student of ballet, I have found that my early training has given me so much confidence in how to behave in many different situations, as well as instilling discipline and a keen awareness of working in partnerships and teams. I feel that it is good for the younger generations to also have the opportunity to be exposed to and learn from ballet.
I have been fundraising for Singapore Ballet since its inception 33 years ago. We need all the support we can get, from purchasing tickets and coming to our performances, to donations as patrons, to gifting tickets to audiences who would otherwise be unable to afford them under our Adopt an Audience initiative. Our annual fundraiser, the Moon and Stars Gala, takes place each March or April and we would love your contributions.
Singapore Ballet has grown from a group of seven dancers to a company of 40 capable of performing the full-length classical works of the major companies worldwide, alongside an international contemporary repertoire by leading modern choreographers whose works are made available to us because they acknowledge our high standards of performance and artistry. This has been indeed a positive transformation within Singapore, and it is my wish that we will continue to develop and grow even further in the coming years.
In case you missed it: Kwok Min Yi On The Challenges She Faced Becoming A Principal Ballet Dancer In Singapore
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As Senior Editor of Tatler Singapore, Hashirin champions and refines the storytelling across platforms—curating and crafting compelling profiles, cover stories and features that spotlight visionaries shaping culture, business and impact. Driven by curiosity, she draws inspiration from the artists, changemakers and trailblazers she encounters through her work. Beyond the pages of Tatler, she is an avid supporter of local theatre and delights in seeking out art in every city she visits.
