This year, more than 300 staff from the CDL Group volunteered their time and heart at Assisi Fun Day 2024 to support the care of patients and their families.
Hauling Over
1,000 kg
Of Rice
In 8 Minutes
For
Charity
The biggest fundraising event for Assisi Hospice, Assisi Fun Day 2024, recently made its annual return on June 9 to ramp up palliative home care capacity by 2026.
With a goal of raising S$1 million, Assisi Hospice plans to increase patient capacity for palliative home care services by 50% (or some 3,000 patients from 2,058 in 2023) within the next two years, in anticipation of an increase in demand for the service due to Singapore’s ageing population.
Nearly 400 staff employees from CDL, Millennium Hotels and Resorts (MHR), Hong Leong Finance, and CDL subsidiary, CBM Pte Ltd, volunteered their heart and time to champion this meaningful cause and support the care of patients and their families. Held at SJI International School, the event was graced by Ms Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Finance and National Development, and Ms Ho Ching, Patron of Assisi Hospice.
The event was graced by Minister Indranee Rajah (3rd from left) who sounded the gong to mark its opening. From left to right: Assisi Hospice Chairman Mr Thomas Teo, SJI International President Brother Larry, Guest-of-Honour Minister Rajah, Assisi Hospice Patron Ms Ho Ching, CDL Group CEO Mr Sherman Kwek and Assisi Hospice CEO Ms Choo Shiu Ling.
Two teams comprising CDL management and staff participated in the CDL Challenge. (L-R): Ms Lim Kah Huay; Ms Charissa Tam; Mr Gerald Yong; Mr Chia Ngiang Hong; Mr Sherman Kwek; Mr Kwek Eik Sheng; Ms Yiong Yim Ming; Mr Reagan Lim; Ms Ng Wee Ling; and Ms Jane Sng.
A key highlight of the event was the CDL Challenge – Rice for Hope, a special charity segment which alone raised over $220,000 from CDL’s staff and business partners.
During the Challenge, various CDL staff, including the whole senior management team, formed two teams and competed in a relay to transport bags of 10kg rice across 30 metres within eight minutes. Led by CDL Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr Sherman Kwek, and Group Chief Operating Officer Mr Kwek Eik Sheng, both teams raced against time and moved over 100 bags (over 1,000 kg) of rice, which will be donated by CDL to a local food charity, Food from the Heart for distribution to 750 needy beneficiaries.
Gerald Yong grins cheekily as he caught up and snuck past Reagan Lim who had dropped his sacks of rice.
The ladies prove they are not to be outdone as Jane Sng from Corporate Communications (left) and CDL China’s Lim Kah Huay carried their rice sacks with grit and determination to the finishing line.
Mr Sherman Kwek, CDL Group CEO, said, “As a homegrown corporation, we have been actively supporting our community through various outreach and engagement initiatives. I am deeply heartened by the strong turnout and support from our CDL family, and the generous contributions from our business associates, friends and the community. The funds raised today will go towards helping Assisi Hospice sustain its impactful work and tireless efforts in caring for patients. Every little step makes a difference, and we hope to inspire more to support this meaningful cause.”
Initiated in 2017 by Mr Sherman Kwek, the CDL Challenge has helped raise funds to support the care of Assisi Hospice’s patients. During the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2022, the Assisi Fun Day event took on a virtual format where the CDL Group continued to help raise funds through e-stalls and rallied donations from their stakeholders. Last year, Assisi Fun Day resumed physically after a three-year hiatus and the CDL Challenge comprised a bubble soccer match.
The crowd cheering the teams on as they try to move as many bags of rice as possible within 8 minutes.
Mr Chia flexing his muscles in a proud show of “power” as he poses for a shot with (L-R) SVP & Head of Customer Service Ms Foo Chui Mui; Deputy Head of Property Development Ms Tay Seok Cheng; EVP & Head of Property Development Ms Lee Mei Ling; and SVP of Sales and Marketing Mr Jimmy Hee.
As the event’s co-organiser, the CDL group set up nine stalls at the carnival – four by CDL employee volunteers, four by Millennium Hotels and Resorts, and one by sister company Hong Leong Finance, selling an array of delectable F&B items. CDL’s subsidiary CBM Pte Ltd, the facilities partner of the event, contributed manpower and expertise in logistics, cleaning, and security.
Six hotels from Millennium Hotels and Resorts – Copthorne King’s Hotel Singapore, Grand Copthorne Waterfront Singapore, M Hotel Singapore, Orchard Hotel Singapore, M Social Singapore, and Studio M Hotel – sponsored F&B and hotel vouchers as lucky draw prizes.
Pictured is one of four booths manned by various teams from CDL. Items sold include handheld fans, munchi pancake, herbal tea, drinks, soft toys, and a variety of crackers.
The booth by Hong Leong Finance (HLF) sold items such as healthy noodles, nuts and granola, popcorn, durian rolls, sugee cake and coconut candy. HLF also initiated pre-event fundraising among staff through homemade bakes and goodies.
The M Hotel team (left photo) poses for the camera after the early sellout of its popular chicken pies, while Copthorne King’s Hotel (right photo) was a hit with its satay skewers and cheng tng (a refreshing local dessert).
The teams from Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel (left photo) sold hotdog buns, candy floss, popcorn, tea eggs, while Orchard Hotel (right photo) was a sellout with its delicious Nasi Lemak.
Here is a video that captures that event’s exciting highlights!
