50 for Fifty drive aims to reach out to lesser-known charities

The changemakers organised events to raise money for 41 charities to celebrate Singapore’s Golden Jubilee this year and they managed to raise $3.6 million in three months.

Ms Pearlyn Tam and Ms Brenda Eng, owners of Balloon Blasters, which sells balloons, was one of those who participated in 50 for Fifty, a charity drive to raise money for lesser-known charities in Singapore. (Photo: Balloon Blasters)

50 for Fifty is reaching out to lesser-known charities. Beneficiaries from Wicare, a widow support group, will receive an early Christmas present from “changemaker”, Ms Brenda Eng, founder of Balloon Blasters.

Ms Eng, 27, is the minority from the first phrase of the charity drive who joined the second phase launched last month. It ends in March next year. Last year, she raised $136,000 for Wicare and wishes to do more for them this year.

“My parents are divorced so I know how important it is for kids to have the love and support from their family,” she said.

“We want to reach out to these children with little family bonds and do whatever we can for those who are not as privileged.”

The 50 for Fifty charity drive is back. They had 50 youths who raised $3.5 million for 42 beneficiaries in just three months last year.

Co-founder of 50 for Fifty, Rebekah Lin, 30, said she hopes that the lesser-known charities will gain greater public awareness of their organisations.

“Personally, I am very passionate about mental health issues amongst young people. Even anorexia, it is a health issue and people don’t really talk about that. Body image issues or suicide, people don’t think about it and don’t really talk about it because it is a taboo subject,” she said.

Selected charities include the Student Advisory Centre, which helps underprivileged kids, and Caregivers Alliance, which supports caregivers of persons with mental illness.

"People are more willing to help the more established charities," said Ms Tan Li Li, executive director of the Singapore Association for Mental Health.

Instead of having only individuals under age 35, the charity drive this year will include businesses from hair salons, radio stations to magazine stands.

Corporate donors will also be roped in to match the donations dollar for dollar. The National Council of Social Service’s Care and Share movement will also match the total amount.

SingTel is the group's first corporate sponsor. Six other organisations, including banks and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, will be contributing too.

"It is a good opportunity for our youth to make a difference," said Mr Chia Boon Chong, Associate Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at SingTel.

The charity drive, which first started on Sept 23 last year, has almost 30 -­ including banks and retail site Zalora.

The National Youth Council has also supported the project management costs with a S$25,000 contribution.

The charities that received the most funds are the Autism Association, Minds and the Rainbow Centre.

"We hope to raise awareness for unheard charities who have difficulties raising funds on their own," said 18-year-old social entrepreneur Mr Elijah Ted Ng, the youngest in the group.

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