By Gwen Sin
The Labour Movement’s U Care Fund has done an amazing feat in providing assistance to low-income union members and their families since it was established. Through collective efforts put together by the NTUC Care and Share Department (CSD), NTUC affiliated unions, association and social enterprises, as well as management and tripartite partners, an impressive achievement of raising over $45 million was reached within a short three-year span.
More than 100,000 members and their households have benefited from the U Care Fund yearly, by means of U Stretch vouchers, U Care Scholarship/Bursary Top-Up and Co-Funding Schemes, and U Care Back to School vouchers among others.
With NTUC Club’s strong support and sponsorship, some 10,900 members also get to enjoy a day of activities during the Family Recreation and Fun (FRF) carnivals last year, which promote stronger family bonds through quality fun.
A silver lining is also extended to other underprivileged communities in Singapore yearly. As part of the Care & Share Committee’s annual Gotong Royong project, union leaders and staff members of CSD brought cheer and basic necessities to the Pertapis Children’s Home in March 2011. The U Care Fund also contributes to NTUC First Campus Bright Horizons Fund, as well as the NTUC Eldercare Trust to help needy children and elderly respectively.
Earlier in April 2011, U Care Fund kicked off its first fundraising event with a very special and unique charity golf event in celebration of NTUC’s 50th anniversary. 50 flights of golfers came together to play the 27-hole course. The U Care Charity Dinner held in July 2011 marked its second and final fundraiser. To showcase the Labour Movement’s Caring, Sharing and Reaching Out spirit, NTUC launched the ‘U Care 50’ initiative to work with unions to roll out 50 community service projects this year.
None of these good works would have been made possible if not for different groups of heroes and heroines, coming together with selfless commitment and dedication to better the welfare of union members and their families.
They deserve the highest accolades and applause in making the Labour Movement such a caring one, as everyone contributes to 'Do Well, Do Good, Do Together and Do More’ for all!
