ARMY RECEIVES HIGHEST HONOUR FROM COMCHEST

For over 20 years, the annual Army Charity Drive has been raising funds to help the less fortunate under the care of the Community Chest (ComChest).

In recognition of its long-standing support, ComChest presented the Army with the prestigious Pinnacle Award at a ceremony on 25 Sep.

This is the highest honour given by ComChest, the fund-raising arm of the National Council of Social Services.

Organisations or individuals who received the 20-year Outstanding Awards in the previous year are eligible for the Pinnacle Awards, if they continue their substantial contributions.

The Army did so by raising $200,000 for ComChest's beneficiaries during the 2014 Army Charity Drive.

Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Toh Poh Cheng, Head of Military Expert Personnel Centre, received the Pinnacle Award on behalf of the Army from the President of Singapore, Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, at the ceremony held at the Capitol Theatre.

The Army also won the Special Events Gold Award for raising a significant amount through its Army Charity Drive.

"What motivates us is the spirit of giving. Our servicemen and women -- Regulars and Full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) - care for the less fortunate," said LTC Toh.

She added that the Army Charity Drive was also a way to inculcate in the younger generations the spirit of giving. NSFs were involved in the planning, and learned about how they could give back to society, and continue to do so after they finish NS.

At the ceremony, a total of 418 awards were presented to corporate and individual donors to acknowledge their contributions to ComChest. Of these, 147 were presented to Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) units and departments.

Notably, the SAF Band received the 15-Year Outstanding SHARE Award as well as the Platinum SHARE Award.

The SHARE awards recognise organisations whose employees make monthly donation through the SHARE programme. These awards - Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Bronze - are given, depending on the organisation s participation rate and contribution.

The Outstanding SHARE Award is given to organisations that have maintained their employees' participation rate at a high level for consecutive years.

A reason for the SAF Band's long-standing support is that its musicians are aware of the less fortunate in society, having performed at various public fund-raising events.

"Musicians are compassionate people. We encourage everyone to contribute when they can (because) a little effort by everyone goes a long way," said Military Expert 4 (ME4) Johnson Lee, Director of Music.

Similarly, for Headquarters Paya Lebar Air Base (HQ PLAB), the recipient of the Gold SHARE Award, many of its personnel volunteer at old folks' homes, and understand the plight of the elderly, so they give generously.

Said Commander PLAB, Colonel (COL) Ong Kai Sin: "Our people are very forthcoming in helping the community. They not only give donations, but also actively participate in community work. We are proud to have played our part in giving back to society."

For the Naval Diving Unit s Special Warfare Group which received the Platinum SHARE Award, giving to charity is another way to give back to the nation.

Said Commanding Officer LTC Kong Eu Yen: "Over the years, leaders in the unit have consistently emphasised the importance of giving back to society at the individual level.

"Contributing a part of our income for charitable causes that lift our society as a whole is one way that the men and women in the unit give back to the nation.

"As protectors of our nation, we want to play our part in building a civic-minded society."