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President’s Challenge

Started in 2000, the President’s Challenge is an annual community outreach and fundraising campaign for beneficiaries selected yearly by the President’s Office.  The Challenge represents a coming together of people from all walks of life, under the President’s patronage, to help the less fortunate.  It serves as a call to all Singaporeans to do their part to build a more caring and inclusive society by giving of their time, skills and enterprise.

In 2012, former president Dr Tony Tan expanded the areas of focus to include Volunteerism and Social Enterprise.  In 2018, President Halimah Yacob refocused the effort of President’s Challenge towards the empowerment of vulnerable groups with skills and employability.  An Empowering for Life Fund was set up to support programmes in skills upgrading, capacity building and employment of vulnerable groups.  President’s Challenge aims to raise S$10 million for the Empowering for Life Fund over the next five years and the Government will match dollar-for-dollar.  More information: www.presidentschallenge.gov.sg

BERNINA (Singapore)

BERNINA is a 127-year-old family-owned Swiss international company, founded in 1893 in Switzerland.  Swiss precision is at the heart of every sewing and embroidery machine that the company creates.  In 2017, BERNINA (Singapore) was established as the hub for Asia Pacific, led by Katharina Ueltschi. 

Located at Funan, BERNINA (Singapore) aims to develop new customer experiences for those who want to take up sewing or embroidery as a hobby, set up a business or explore a form of creative expression.  Their goal is to inspire people across all age groups and to support them and be part of their creative lifestyle.  They offer workshops and masterclasses, coach and encourage their customers to become creative themselves.  More information: www.bernina.com.sg

Heartware Network

Established in 2000, Heartware Network is a registered Society with the Registry of Societies, and a registered Charity with the Institution of Public Character status under Commissioner of Charities, under the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth.  Heartware Network seeks to instil positive values and build strong character in youth between ages 14 and 35 and engages the young to be resilient, innovative in serving others, and to be entrepreneurs rooted to Singapore as their home.  Heartware Network is committed to transforming the lives of under-served children and youth by empowering them with greater confidence in their abilities for a brighter future.  More information: www.heartware.org

Metta Welfare Association

Metta Welfare Association (Metta) was founded in 1992 by Venerable Chao Khun Fa Zhao BBM, Abbot of the Golden Pagoda Buddhist Temple.  He is President of the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum.  Metta aims to provide welfare services for the community, regardless of race or religion.  Metta is dedicated to working closely with its clients, donors, partners, suppliers and community organisations to provide welfare services to meet the needs of the community at its centres.

Initiated by Metta in 2007, Arts@Metta seeks to equip special needs alumni from the Metta School with life skills that promote employment and independence.  Arts@Metta’s programmes enable these youths to overcome their disabilities through mastery of the arts.  Their artistry has since gained recognition through corporate commissions and social responsibility projects.  Turning personalised gift ideas into attractive lifestyle items through quality design and production, Arts@Metta helps businesses align and enhance their corporate branding with a social mission.  More information: www.metta.org.sg

Ms Katharina Ueltschi, Director of BERNINA (Singapore) said: "BERNINA sewing machines help to encourage creativity and skills.  Through this #CareKitWithLove collaboration with CapitaLand, we are glad that our shopfront and machines at Funan can be used to enable like-minded volunteers to do their part for the community."

Ms Tan See Leng, Executive Director, Heartware Network said: “Heartware Network is excited to collaborate with President's Challenge, CapitaLand from the corporate sector, Metta Welfare Association from the social service sector and other stakeholders such as BERNINA (Singapore), to support them in volunteer management for the #CareKitWithLove project.  This unique project allows us to bring awareness to good hygiene habits surrounding mask usage, reduce preventable illnesses in our community and promote sustainability by discouraging the use of plastic to keep the masks.  As an organisation committed to transforming the lives of under-served children and youth, we believe this project is beneficial not just for children with special needs, but for many vulnerable members in our community.  For our Heartware volunteers, it is a meaningful opportunity for them to volunteer by teaching something of real impact to children with special needs.” 

Ms Felicia Wee, Deputy Executive Director, Metta Welfare Association said: “‘Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.’  The collaboration between Metta, CapitaLand and key partners during this challenging climate has allowed us to share ideas, work together, leverage and integrate our efforts collectively as one.  #CareKitWithLove is about compassion, love, support and kindness and the power we gain when we share with each other to do good for the bigger community.”

Inclusive: Specially designed for children and youth with special needs

• Soft but firm material for ease of putting in and taking out face mask
• Velcro closure for easy access
• Convenient hand strap
• Two slots for keeping clean and used face masks separately

Environmentally friendly: Washable and reusable

• Allows for multiple uses

Personalised: Allows for customisation and encourages ownership and creativity

• Plain material exterior for children and youth with special needs to personalise with wash-proof materials during the virtual art workshops