Celebrating 10 Years of Giving
President’s Challenge 2009 Launch at Singapore Flyer

President’s Challenge 2009 was officially launched by President S R Nathan today at the Singapore Flyer. This year is a significant milestone as President’s Challenge celebrates its 10th Anniversary.  The start of this year-long fund raising platform was held in conjunction with Singapore Flyer’s 1st Birthday Celebrations.

2    The launch of President’s Challenge 2009 has an interactive programme to allow members of the public to join in the celebration.  The public are also encouraged to contribute towards President’s Challenge by participating in a series of fund-raising activities at the event. For more details, refer to Annex A.

3    To mark President’s Challenge 10th Anniversary, specially customised stamps have been printed to commemorate the occasion.  The stamps will be available for sale during the Launch event.  All proceeds from the sale of the stamps will be donated to President’s Challenge 2009.  See Annex B.

4    President S R Nathan said “I urge everyone in Singapore, to come forward and participate in President’s Challenge this year, through the giving of time and money. Your donations will go a long way, especially in these difficult economic times. We need to express the spirit of President’s Challenge, with everyone doing a little something for another person who needs help. “

5    This year’s President’s Challenge aims to reach out to more than 260,000 participants and hopes to raise at least $8 million again.  Over the last 10 years of fund-raising, the President’s Challenge has successfully raised over $70 million for more than 400 beneficiaries.

6    The success of President’s Challenge over the past years was made possible with the strong and generous support of many organisations, schools, institutions of higher learning, private and public service organisations such as the Singapore Totalisator Board, Singapore Pools, Singapore Press Holdings, Singapore Polytechnic and Microsoft among others, which had been instrumental in organising various fund-raising and volunteer activities in support of President’s Challenge.

7    Funds raised under the umbrella of President’s Challenge are disbursed annually to an approved group of beneficiaries to help them with their specific causes.  The list of beneficiaries for President’s Challenge 2009 will be posted on the President’s Challenge official website www.pc.org.sg shortly.

8    For more information on the President’s Challenge 2009 and updated reports on its events and activities, the public can visit the website: www.pc.org.sg. In line with the popularity of social media, especially among the IT-savvy, members of the public can also help drive more awareness for President’s Challenge by roping in friends to sign up for the President’s Challenge Cause page on Facebook.
 
9    To contribute to President’s Challenge, you may donate online at www.pc.org.sg or send a cheque made payable to “President’s Challenge 2009” and mail it to the following address :

President’s Challenge 2009
c/o National Council of Social Service
170 Ghim Moh Road
#01–02
Singapore 279621
Attention: Partnership Events Dept

For media enquiries on President’s Challenge, please contact:

Ms Julia Poh/ Ms Shakera Stationwala
Tel: 6837 9102/ 6837 9661
Email: Julia_poh@mica.gov.sg/ shakera_stationwala@mica.gov.sg

   
Annex A     

President’s Challenge 2009 Launch Fringe Activities

This year, the President’s Challenge celebrates its 10th Anniversary and a slew of fun-filled activities have been lined up to commemorate the special occasion at its launch on 9 April at Singapore Flyer.

Members of the public are invited to come and participate in the spectacular celebration and enjoy some special treats as part of the President’s Challenge’s Launch at Singapore’s Flyer’s 1st birthday bash and also do their bit to help raise funds for the President’s Challenge as follows:

• Purchase a limited edition President’s Challenge 10th Anniversary Commemorative Stamp Set at $20. All proceeds will go to President’s Challenge 2009
• Purchase an ‘Mplified Music’ CD showcasing original compositions and arrangements by the Methodist Girls School for $20. Mplified showcases original compositions and arrangements by the Methodist Girls’ School.  Proceeds will go to President’s Challenge  
• Make a donation at President’s Challenge Charity Heart Box at Singapore Flyer
• Buy a Singapore Flyer flight ticket at $29.50 and treat a companion to a flight for only $1. (Limit to first 1,000 tickets only. First-come-first-served, while stocks last. Valid from 6pm on 9 April 2009 only (same day usage). Valid for walk-in purchases at Singapore Flyer ticketing counters only. No advance booking is allowed)
• Purchase a Singapore Flyer Signature Cocktail Flight and fly in style sipping cocktail specially concocted by award-winning bartender. Take home FREE in-capsule photograph and cocktail glass souvenirs worth $48. (50% of the net proceeds for flights in April and May will be donated to President’s Challenge 2009)

Catch some party-like atmosphere with the following performances and activities:

• Free hourly quiz giveaways of limited edition President’s Challenge tee shirts
• Catch your favourite DJ, The Flying Dutchman from Class 95FM as he brings you special highlights LIVE on-site
• Special performances by Methodist Girls’ School Alumni Choir
• Samba with the Rhythm Earth Batterias, a 10-piece samba percussion band

Annex B

Commemorative President’s Challenge 10th Anniversary Stamps