07 November 2009

StarHub donates $200,000 to Grace Orchard School in conjunction with Christmas Light-up 2009 Switch-on ceremony

Singapore, 7 November 2009 – StarHub employee Chang Tou Yuen had a head start with his Christmas shopping earlier this week, as he carefully selected and gift-wrapped a sports cap for his new friend Vignesh Nagarajan, a student with autism from Grace Orchard School. Tou Yuen presented Vignesh with his gift at the Christmas Light-up 2009 Switch-on ceremony at ION Orchard this evening.

The Switch-On ceremony was organised by Community Chest and the Singapore Tourism Board, and as a Presenting Partner, StarHub made a donation of $200,000 through the Community Chest to Grace Orchard School, and invited 20 students from the school to attend the ceremony. StarHub employees embraced the opportunity to fulfil the Christmas wishes of these students by sponsoring their Christmas wish-list of gifts. The employees also accompanied the students for a walk down Orchard Road to enjoy the lights and revel in the festive atmosphere.

Mr Tan Tong Hai, Chief Operating Officer of StarHub, explained, ”As a company, we feel privileged to be able to collaborate with Community Chest to bring cheer to the disadvantaged. Social responsibility is ingrained in the corporate culture at StarHub and we encourage our employees to contribute to meaningful causes in their personal capacities. Small acts of kindness go a long way, and it is indeed heartening for our employees to be able to bring joy to the students of Grace Orchard School by fulfilling their Christmas wishes.”

Vignesh and his classmates are among the many beneficiaries who will benefit from StarHub’s donation to Grace Orchard School.  The donation will go towards helping children develop functional competencies and prepare them to live independent lives.

Mr P Y Hwang, Vice-Chairman of Community Chest, said, “StarHub is one of Community Chest’s valued partners, and its commitment towards corporate philanthropy is exemplary. Support from companies like StarHub is critical for Voluntary Welfare Organisations under the support of Community Chest, and allows them to deliver crucial social services.”

Since StarHub was established in 2000, the company has donated more than $5 million to help the less fortunate in Singapore.

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