On 3 September 2008, Ms Debbie Lui, Deputy Director, and Ms Lee Swee Ching, Senior Executive of Community Chest (ComChest), the fund raising arm of the National Council of Social Services paid a courtesy call to NIE Director, Professor Lee Sing Kong.

Ms Lui, who presented Prof Lee with a specially designed token of appreciation aptly named ‘Finding Happiness in Giving’, expressed her sincere thanks for the support towards Community Chest and MINDS Jurong Gardens School, the adopted beneficiary for NIE Director’s Relay Run 2007. The S$48,000 raised during the NIE Director’s Relay Run 2007 had helped the Community Chest to meet its fund raising target of S$52 million for the financial year 2007/2008.

Mr Alan Ch’ng, Divisional Director, Corporate Planning and Development and Chairman of the NIE Director’s Relay Run 2007, was also present to witness the gift presentation. It was indeed heartwarming to receive the specially crafted token made personally by the trainees at the MINDS IDEA Employment Development Centre.

Prof Lee felt that the yearly charity drive by NIE is indeed a win-win effort as it is an integral part of teacher training to inculcate values in helping the less fortunate whilst the funds raised will go a long way to bring some cheer to the needy.

For its support towards ComChest, NIE/NTU was also presented the Bronze Award at the Community Chest Award 2008 (right) on 2 October 2008. Besides receiving a trophy, NIE/NTU will also be eligible to use the ComChest logo (above) on its corporate materials to show that it is a supporter of charity.