Discounts for pioneers, free concerts among SG50 goodies

NParks will be holding free two-hour concerts at various parks, including Gardens by the Bay. — Today file photoSINGAPORE, July 5 — Free concerts in parks and retail discounts for the pioneer generation are among the goodies and events lined up for the Republic’s Golden Jubilee celebrations next year.

These plans were shared yesterday at an inaugural Singapore50 (SG50) engagement and networking session attended by officials from government ministries and more than 800 representatives from industry associations and companies.

The purpose of the event was to bring together various groups to discuss ideas, said co-chair of the SG50 Partnership Committee, Raffles Medical Group executive chairman Loo Choon Yong. He said: “Some have ideas, some are looking for sponsorship, some are looking for partnership, while some want to do something, but don’t have ideas yet and so came today to brainstorm.”

The committee has already struck some partnerships with the private sector, such as with the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF). The SMF will highlight members that have been with the federation for the past 50 years and their contribution to Singapore’s economy in the 50^th edition of its annual trade directory.

The Health Ministry and the Singapore Business Federation have also come together to call on private companies and other organisations to contribute to an SG50 Seniors Package, which will include special discounts for food and beverage services, leisure destinations as well as health and wellness services.

The Education Ministry is also looking for sponsorships for Youths Celebrate!, a large-scale event to be held in April featuring, for example, a football match pitting 50 schoolchildren against 11 professional football players.

The National Parks Board (NParks) will be holding two-hour concerts — free to the public — in Admiralty Park, Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Bedok Reservoir Park, Gardens by the Bay and Jurong Central Park. The concerts will feature local talents and community performing groups. To commemorate the 50^th anniversary of Singapore’s independence, NParks will also be planting 5,000 trees across the island, among other initiatives.

At the networking session, various non-governmental organisations and individuals also shared their plans on celebrating the milestone.

For example, Care Corner Singapore, a voluntary welfare organisation, is seeking to raise S$1 million by next year — to be disbursed to 500 families with a monthly per capita income of less than S$800 (RM2,045)— and train up to 200 volunteers who will help these families with their challenges. Ms Audrey Choo, Care Corner’s corporate services manager, said: “We want to do something for the Singapore community … each family is eligible to receive up to S$2,000, which can be used to alleviate household arrears.”

Other initiatives and events that were announced earlier include the Jubilee Walk, a walking trail that covers historic locations in the civic district and Marina Bay area.

An SG Heart Map will also be compiled based on 50 places of significance, as suggested by the public.

Content about these places, such as sketches, poetry, photographs and short films crowdsourced from the public, will be included on the map.

Minister for Social and Family Development, Mr Chan Chun Sing, who is an adviser to the SG50 Partnership Committee, underlined the need for public participation in the SG50 celebrations. “(The committee) can fill up the calendar with 365 events, but they will be devoid of meaning if we do not get each and every Singaporean to come forth and join us,” he said. — Today

Discounts for pioneers, free concerts among SG50 goodies