21 October 2009

StarHub commits to regular volunteer activities at Eden School, donates $200,000 for two computer labs at the school’s new building

Singapore, 21 October 2009 – StarHub reaffirmed its commitment to corporate volunteerism with the launch of ‘Sparklers’ - a volunteer network for StarHub employees with a shared passion for helping the underprivileged.

In promoting a culture of volunteerism among its employees, StarHub grants employees two working days of paid volunteerism leave per year as part of its corporate volunteerism programme. StarHub employees are encouraged to volunteer their time and services for a variety of community projects organised or sponsored by the company.

Respondents in an employee survey conducted by StarHub had indicated their interest to participate in longer term volunteering initiatives, in addition to ad-hoc community outreach activities organised by the company. ‘Sparklers’ was born to provide a platform for likeminded employees to network with their peers, collaborate actively to drive StarHub’s community outreach efforts, and lead long-term volunteering commitments.

Mr Tan Tong Hai, Chief Operating Officer of StarHub, explained, ”Our employees in their business lives bring to the table their positive energy, innovative ideas and dedication. Through Sparklers, we aim to galvanise these same traits to make a greater impact for our community, and at the same time foster a stronger spirit of volunteerism within the StarHub community.”

The first beneficiary of StarHub’s new initiative is Eden School, an autism-focused school in Singapore. StarHub will not only donate $200,000 from its Sparks Fund towards the construction and equipping of two computer labs at Eden School’s new school building, it will also commit to regular volunteer activities at the school. The Sparks Fund is an ongoing fund set up to provide direct benefit to the less privileged in Singapore.

To kick start its partnership with Eden School, StarHub jointly organised a sports day event for students of Eden School this morning, whereby over 30 StarHub employees assisted in coordinating the flow of sporting activities. StarHub employees will also be involved in Eden School’s upcoming school outing, and will accompany students of the school to Kidz Amaze and BazGym Gymnastics School. In the coming year, StarHub employees can look forward to guiding students of Eden School through their IT, art and gym classes.

“Ad-hoc volunteering programmes presently organised by StarHub typically involve interactive activities with Voluntary Welfare Organisations. While these programmes allow our employees to learn more about the less privileged in the community, we hope to take this a step further and convert some of these partnerships to longer term engagements led by our employees themselves, as these will enable our employees to better witness the fruits of their efforts," said Mr Tan.

Ms Jenny Lai, Principal of Eden School, said, “We value meaningful and sustainable partnerships with corporations, and are grateful to StarHub for donating the two computer labs and for committing to regular volunteering at Eden School. Our children had an enjoyable time today at the sports day event which was jointly organised by StarHub, and they look forward to having the enthusiastic StarHub volunteers join them in their upcoming outings and classes.”

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