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Children get red packets and goodie bags thanks to ST Pocket Money Fund

20 February 2018

Children at the Straits Times Pocket Money Fund (STSPMF) event held at Seletar Mall on Feb 19, 2018. The STSPMF provides pocket money to children from low-income families to help with school-related expenses, such as buying meals or paying for transport.ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO

 

SINGAPORE - Red packets and goodie bags were among the treats given out to 48 primary to post-secondary children on Monday (Feb 19) thanks to the Straits Times Pocket Money Fund (STSPMF).

At an event held at Seletar Mall on the fourth day of the Chinese New Year, beneficiaries had a chance to win prizes such as stationery and accessories at three game booths.

Seletar Mall shoppers gave red packets of $20 to each of the 48 children with the mall matching their gifts dollar-for-dollar and raising $1,000 for the STSPMF.

"Our students barely have enough money to go to school, let alone celebrate Chinese New Year," said Ms Tan Bee Heong, the Fund's general manager. "We are glad to have this event to make Chinese New Year 2018 a memorable one for our beneficiaries and their families,"

Charlotte Seah, who will be starting her first year at Singapore Polytechnic in April, was attending her first STSPMF event and was joined by her mother and brother.

"Without this event, I would probably be at home doing nothing. So I decided to just come out and (bask in the festive atmosphere)," said the 16-year-old.

Admin executive Angela Tan attended with her two children, who are in primary three and five and were among the beneficiaries.

"It's their last day of the holiday break; tomorrow they are starting school," said the 42-year-old.

The STSPMF provides pocket money to children from low-income families to help with school-related expenses, such as buying meals or paying for transport. Since 2000, the Fund has helped over 160,000 children and youth and disbursed over $61 million.

The Straits Times © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Reproduced with permission

 

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