CapitaLand’s #CareKitWithLove receives strong volunteer response to make over 9,000 mask pouches in support of President’s Challenge
2,000 batik mask pouches designed by artists with special needs are now on sale at eCapitaMall
Singapore, 14 October 2020 – CapitaLand’s #CareKitWithLove community project by its philanthropic arm, CapitaLand Hope Foundation (CHF), has received strong response from volunteers who have committed to make over 9,000 mask pouches, exceeding its initial target of 8,000. More than 250 CapitaLand staff and community volunteers have contributed over 4,500 volunteer hours since the launch of #CareKitWithLove on 17 September 2020. The mask pouches will go to children and youth with special needs as well as frontline staff from 20 special education schools in Singapore. Through #CareKitWithLove, CapitaLand has pledged S$200,000 to this year’s President’s Challenge.
In line with President’s Challenge 2020’s focus on empowering people with disabilities, CHF has worked with Arts@Metta, a programme under Metta Welfare Association, where its artists with special needs designed 2,000 batik mask pouches. From today, the public can purchase the mask pouches at eCapitaMall1, CapitaLand’s curated digital mall. CHF will pledge2 S$20 for every pouch sold to President’s Challenge. Proceeds from the sale will go to Arts@Metta to equip youths with special needs with life skills to promote integration, independence and employment.
CapitaLand #CareKitWithLove batik mask pouches specially designed by Arts@Metta artists
“I am heartened by CapitaLand’s continued efforts towards giving back to society amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The #CareKitwithLove initiative has rallied its staff, community partners and volunteers to come together to sew mask pouches for children with special needs and to raise funds for the President’s Challenge. It also provides a platform for artists with special needs to showcase their talents through designing of mask pouches. I hope the wider community will continue to show their support for this initiative, to volunteer and help the vulnerable groups amongst us.”
- President Halimah Yacob
Mr Tan Seng Chai, Chief Corporate and People Officer for CapitaLand Group and Executive Director of CapitaLand Hope Foundation, said: “#CareKitWithLove is part of CapitaLand’s continued advocacy for volunteerism and inclusivity in corporate giving. We are heartened to see the enthusiastic participation from the community and our staff who are giving their time and skills to prepare materials, sew the mask pouches or guide students with special needs in virtual art workshops. #CareKitWithLove will also provide Arts@Metta’s youth with special needs the opportunity to showcase their employability skills by painting the batik mask pouches. By placing the mask pouches designed by these young talents on eCapitaMall, we are leveraging CapitaLand’s resources to expand our reach to the community to do good. We hope the public will support and contribute by buying the mask pouches.”
#CareKitWithLove has also received positive response from the community to volunteer their time and guide close to 1,000 students in 13 participating special needs schools in Singapore on how to use and personalise their mask pouches. Volunteers will be trained by youth charity Heartware Network, which is coordinating the virtual art workshops.
To show support for the volunteers of #CareKitWithLove, President Halimah met with volunteers at Metta Welfare Association today. She also interacted virtually with volunteers who are making mask pouches at home and at co-sewing space BERNINA in Funan, as well as student volunteers from the Institute of Technical Education College (Central). President Halimah also joined Metta School’s students virtually in a workshop conducted by volunteers from CapitaLand and Heartware Network, where they personalised their mask pouches.
CapitaLand has been supporting President’s Challenge since 2008. The Group has contributed more than S$3 million to benefit over 40 charities that support vulnerable children and elderly in Singapore.
Please refer to Annex for the design concepts of the mask pouches for purchase on eCapitaMall.
Notes:
1 CapitaStar members get to earn instant STAR$® for every transaction.
2 CHF will pledge S$20 to President's Challenge for every mask pouch made or sold, up to S$200,000.