Mr Charles Chong,

Chairman of Northeast Community Development Council;

Venerable Shi Fazhao, President of Metta Welfare Association;

Donors, well-wishers and friends;

I am delighted to be here tonight with all of you to officiate the Hearts-de-Lotus Charity Banquet.

Tonight�s Charity Banquet is co-organised by the Northeast Community Development Council (CDC) and Metta Welfare Association. The $100,000 raised through this Banquet will be shared equally between these two parties for their community & welfare programmes.

Northeast CDC will utilise the total funds obtained for three areas pertaining to education and training for residents. These include the upgrading and renovation of an IT Junction located within the Tampines East Community Club and the provision of subsidies for residents to take up IT Courses, even those who have �A�Level certificates.

Metta Welfare Association, being the welfare arm of the Golden Pagoda Buddhist Temple, has played an active role in providing welfare and health care services for the needy and the less fortunate, regardless of race or religion. Such services focus on disability care, rehabilitation care, social care and medical care.

The funds raised by the Association will be channelled to facilities such as the Metta Day Activity Centre For The Intellectually Disabled, which facilitates the integration of the intellectually disabled into our society to help them lead normal lives. In addition, the funds will also support Metta Care & Social Services, which provides various relief schemes & social service activities for the elderly & less fortunate, and Metta Rehabilitation Care Services, which provides rehabilitative care for the elderly with mild mental or physical impairment. I commend Metta Welfare Association for its continuous support and contributions towards the community.

The services and schemes provided by the two organisations are important as it promotes social cohesion and harmony. By providing assistance to the needy, we are offering practical as well as community support to them. The under-privileged would not be further disadvantaged if the society they live in have friends who are willing to help. I think the role of the above organisations have become more significant, especially in the light of the current economic crisis. I would urge those more privileged to step forward selflessly to help the less fortunate in whatever ways they can.

I also hope that other welfare organisations would work closely with the CDC in building the community. During this economically uncertain period, we need to work together to help one another emerge stronger eventually.

I thank all donors and well-wishers here tonight for your generosity and kind giving. It is commendable that you have deemed it important to give towards the community albeit the less positive economic sentiment. I assure you that you have given towards a good cause and I urge all of you to endeavor in your efforts toward community building. Thank you.