StarHub launches programme with $100,000 donation and carnival event
Singapore , 27 February 2009 – StarHub today launched a new component to its Rewards loyalty programme which gives StarHub customers the option to redeem a donation to charity with their StarHub Rewards Monthly Points.
When a customer redeems a donation through the ‘StarHub Rewards Redemption for Charity’ programme, StarHub will contribute a stipulated amount to a charity. MINDS Towner Gardens School (MINDS TGS) has been selected as the appointed charity for this new initiative in 2009.
Presently, StarHub customers earn one StarHub Rewards Monthly Point for every dollar spent on its services, and accumulated points may be used to redeem for vouchers, gifts and StarHub services. Under the ‘StarHub Rewards Redemption for Charity’ programme, StarHub customers can redeem a five-dollar donation for every 250 points. A cash donation will then be made from the StarHub Sparks Fund, an ongoing fund set up to provide direct benefit to the less privileged in Singapore, to MINDS TGS.
Mr Tan Tong Hai, Chief Operating Officer of StarHub, said, “StarHub’s Rewards loyalty programme is one of our ways of thanking customers for their support. We believe that it is as rewarding to give as it is to receive, and are pleased to offer our valued customers an easy and affordable option to give to the less privileged in these challenging economic times.”
To celebrate the launch of its new initiative, StarHub donated $100,000 to MINDS TGS to fund the purchase of equipment for the school, including educational toys and aids, teaching materials, physiotherapy equipment, psychological test kits and equipment for the school’s Sensory Integrated Room.
In addition, StarHub also organised a carnival event for the students, whereby 50 StarHub employees shared a fun and meaningful afternoon with students of MINDS TGS by manning the game and food stalls at the carnival.
Mr Tan presented the donation to MINDS TGS and was also actively involved in the carnival by deftly churning out sticks of cotton candy for the students.
“We sincerely believe in corporate philanthropy and want to inculcate the culture of volunteerism firmly at StarHub. We seek to contribute not only monetarily towards charitable causes, but also by opening our hearts and participating in volunteerism activities. In the process, our employees forge stronger bonds with one another and gain meaningful experiences,” added Mr Tan.
StarHub's Corporate Volunteerism Programme grants all employees up to two days of paid leave each year for taking part in community volunteering initiatives organised by the company.
Mr Keh Eng Song, Chief Executive Officer of MINDS, gave two thumbs up for StarHub’s new initiative. “StarHub has risen to the occasion to prove that the charity sector can count on the fervent and constant generosity of companies even in difficult times,” said Mr Keh. “We are grateful to StarHub for its admirable show of altruism. It is heartwarming to see the employees of StarHub immersed in the spirit of volunteerism by organising this wonderful carnival for our students, and the children happily enjoying the fruits of their labour.”
Ms Ang Bee Lian, Chief Executive Officer of the National Council of Social Service, said, “By engaging their customers to donate to charity via the redemption of Monthly Points, StarHub has helped to lend greater awareness to the needs of their appointed charity. Support from companies like StarHub is a valuable source of encouragement to charitable organisations to weather the economic recession bravely, and empowers these organisations to deliver crucial social services to the disadvantaged in our society.”
StarHub customers can redeem their points easily with a few clicks online via www.starhub.com/rewards, or by calling StarHub Customer Care at 1633 and following the step-by-step Phone Self Help function.
MINDS Towner Gardens School serves under the management of Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore and is supported by National Council of Social Service. The school provides critical services and specialised education programmes for children aged four to 18 years with intellectual disabilities and/or autism, and aims to develop each child’s capabilities to the fullest, with the long-term objective of enhancing his prospects of integration into mainstream society.
Since StarHub was established in 2000, the company has donated more than $5 million to help the less fortunate.
- END -
