Sands for Singapore Charity Festival 2024 Raises S$4.6 Million for Local Charities

The 10th edition of the Sands for Singapore Charity Festival concluded on a high note, raising nearly S$4.6 million for local charities. Since its launch in 2013, the festival has become a cornerstone of Marina Bay Sands’ corporate social responsibility program, Sands Cares, and has now contributed over S$39 million to various causes.

This year’s funds will support a wide range of initiatives, including assistance for persons with disabilities, economic empowerment for disadvantaged women, care for children with cancer, and addiction counseling. Beneficiaries include APSN, ART, AWWA, Community Chest, and several other organizations.

A Decade of Giving: Festival Highlights

To celebrate a decade of giving, the festival, themed Where Hearts Come Together, featured 10 weeks of community engagement activities. The grand finale, held from August 23-25 at the Event Plaza, attracted a large turnout. Over 4,000 Marina Bay Sands Team Members participated in more than 20 volunteer events, contributing over 6,600 volunteer hours. This brings the total number of hours volunteered by Team Members to more than 110,000 since the festival’s inception.

Memorable Events and Performances

The three-day event featured performances by popular local artists like Glenn Yong, Ben Hum, and shazza, alongside heartwarming acts by beneficiaries from Redeafination, MINDS, and ART. The festival also included the ever-popular social marketplace, which offered handcrafted items from local non-profits, and gourmet treats from Marina Bay Sands’ signature restaurants.

Giving Marketplace: Supporting Local Causes

The Giving Marketplace, a key feature of the festival, hosted 16 booths from non-profits and small businesses. Items for sale included eco-friendly products, handmade crafts, and baked goods, with all proceeds going directly to support participating organizations.

Scoops of Hope: Indulging for a Good Cause

To mark the 10th anniversary, the Scoops of Hope ice cream pop-up returned from August 16-25. Guests enjoyed 10 unique flavors, including local-inspired creations by Marina Bay Sands’ Executive Pastry Chef and special flavors crafted by celebrity chef restaurants. Proceeds supported Metta Café, which provides vocational training for graduates with intellectual disabilities.

Upcycling for Good: Heartwork Initiative

A new addition to the festival, Heartwork: Upcycling for Good, invited the public to create coasters and keychains from recycled plastic bottle caps. Over 35,000 caps were transformed, with proceeds benefiting AWWA’s Transitional Shelter program.

Community Chest Heartstrings Walk and Vertical Marathon

In partnership with Community Chest, the annual Heartstrings Walk and Vertical Marathon took place on August 24. Participants, including Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, walked along the Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade, while competitive racers scaled 57 stories of Marina Bay Sands Hotel. Funds raised will support over 30 critical programs for vulnerable communities.

Extending a Helping Hand

Beyond the festival, Marina Bay Sands continued its commitment to social causes. Team Members volunteered to enhance living conditions at AWWA’s Transitional Shelters and organized a National Day celebration for seniors at Moral Home for the Aged Sick.

Art jamming sessions with Singapore Red Cross beneficiaries also provided rewarding experiences for both volunteers and participants.