CapitaLand, through its philanthropic arm CapitaLand Hope Foundation (CHF), is committing S$1 million to support the vulnerable elderly affected by COVID-19 in Singapore. This donation is part of the Group’s total pledge of close to S$6 million in the last 90 days, to support the immediate needs of communities affected by COVID-19. This latest pledge of S$1 million will go towards providing the silver generation with meals and essentials including daily necessities, smart communication devices and personal protection equipment. CapitaLand aims to enhance the emergency preparedness for seniors as heightened precautions such as restricted visitation, have resulted in a lack of volunteer support and supplies at the homes for the elderly.

This latest pledge of S$1 million will go towards providing the silver generation with meals (pictured) and essentials including daily necessities and smart communication devices. (Photo credit: Apex Harmony Lodge)

CapitaLand was amongst the earliest companies in Singapore to support the affected communities. In less than a week after the Chinese government announced on 23 January 2020 a city lockdown of Wuhan, CapitaLand set up a healthcare fund to support relief efforts in China. By mid-February 2020, it has already donated about S$2.3 million to support healthcare workers and affected communities in Singapore and China. The Group has also extended its relief efforts to its key markets such as India and Vietnam, as well as other countries across the world, through donations of COVID-19 test kits, surgical masks and hand sanitisers.

Mr Lee Chee Koon, Group Chief Executive Officer, CapitaLand Group and Director of CapitaLand Hope Foundation said: “As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds globally, CapitaLand has been adapting our businesses quickly; and tailoring our response to ensure that we operate responsibly while supporting our community. We are guided by two key principles – to be proactive and to protect. As we strategise and adapt our business to overcome this pandemic and position CapitaLand for the new normal, we also saw a need to expand our philanthropic support to the wider community. This includes our seniors, who are right now amongst the most vulnerable, and we need to look out for them. CapitaLand will continue to be proactive in assessing the most immediate needs of the community and extend our support to protect other vulnerable groups, such as the migrant workers in Singapore. By helping one another and standing together in solidarity, we will be able to overcome this crisis and emerge stronger and more united.”

Mr Lee Chee Koon, Group Chief Executive Officer, CapitaLand Group and Director of CapitaLand Hope Foundation, joined volunteers in distributing hand sanitiser to the public at Raffles City Singapore

S$700,000 emergency and preparedness funds to keep the vulnerable elderly safe

CHF has partnered with the Community Foundation of Singapore’s Sayang Sayang Fund to contribute S$700,000 to Agency for Integrated Care. The ‘CapitaLand #LoveOurSeniors’ initiative will go towards emergency support for community care providers such as personal protection equipment, disinfection of the premises if there is a confirmed case of COVID-19, as well as support for affected staff, elderly and their family members.

The contribution will also go towards a preparedness fund to keep the vulnerable elderly engaged and safe in the community as well as appreciate the hard work and dedication of community care staff during this challenging time.

Mr Tan Kwang Cheak, Chief Executive Officer, Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) said: “AIC is thankful for CapitaLand’s support towards our Community Care partners that will be used for causes that include helping our seniors. The donation is especially significant and meaningful, given the challenging period we are going through.”

AWWA Senior Community Home and Apex Harmony Lodge

To support the immediate needs of the elderly and community care staff following the circuit breaker measures, CHF has since 6 April 2020, delivered more than 300 meals to AWWA Senior Community Home and Apex Harmony Lodge (AHL), a purpose-built lodge for people with dementia. AWWA and AHL will be receiving meal support for the next six months. Refrigerators were also delivered to AHL to help the home cope with operating split zones as safe distancing measures are put in place to protect the elderly. More essential electronic and home appliances such as air coolers and air purifiers will be sent to AHL. CHF will also provide AHL with 560 packs of 5kg Fragrance 43°N Jilin rice, a product by CapitaLand’s Sino-Singapore Jilin Food Zone.

Since 6 April 2020, CHF has delivered more than 300 meals to AWWA Senior Community Home (pictured in the home premises) and Apex Harmony Lodge. They will be receiving meal support for the next six months. (Photo credit: AWWA)

Mr Ng Herk Low, Director, AWWA Health and Senior Care: “AWWA believes in empowering our seniors to live dignified and independent lives to the best of their abilities. While residents across our Health and Senior Care services understand that the implementation of additional COVID-19 circuit-breaker measures are necessary to better safeguard their health within our premises, they do miss large-scale gatherings and activities organised by our community partners. CapitaLand’s generosity through donations of scrumptious meals will go a long way in adding cheer to the lives of our seniors and staff, which can help keep their spirits and energy up during this challenging period. Many thanks to the CapitaLand team for their kind gesture and thoughtfulness.”

Ms Soh Mee Choo, Chief Executive Officer, AHL, said: “We’re extremely thankful to CapitaLand for the generous donation during this trying period, with impact both immediate and beyond. With both our elderly residents and dorm nurses having to stay in during this circuit breaker period, the donation of electrical appliances like air coolers, air purifiers, and refrigerators from CapitaLand will help us improve our environment and smoothen the transition into split-zoning measures. The impact of these environmental enhancements to create a more comfortable space with cooler and cleaner air goes beyond COVID-19. Engagement tools, including smart tablets and cognitive stimulation kits, keep our residents with dementia cognitively engaged and connected with their loved ones who are unable to visit. We are learning new ways of empowering our residents and their family members. On top of these, the restaurant meal treats give residents and staff something to look forward to every week as they can no longer enjoy meals at their favourite hawker stalls. The gratitude and learning set a strong foundation in our partnership with CapitaLand to further enhance the quality of care for persons with dementia.”

Refrigerators were delivered to AHL (pictured) to help the home cope with operating split zones as safe distancing measures are put in place to protect the elderly. (Photo credit: Apex Harmony Lodge)

‘CapitaLand #MealOnMe’ to provide over 30,000 free meals

CHF is embarking on a ‘CapitaLand #MealOnMe’ initiative with food charity The Food Bank Singapore and CapitaLand malls’ F&B tenants to provide more than 30,000 meals to the elderly and other vulnerable groups, including children from low-income families as well as community care staff. The F&B tenants that have come onboard the initiative are ABR Holdings, Creative Eateries Group, Katrina Group and The Minor Food Group that operate the likes of Bali Thai, Bangkok Jam, ThaiExpress and Tip Top.