According to the World Bank, the global economy is in limbo. This may have ripple effect on Singapore’s economy.

And we at St. John's Home were concerned that this would in turn translate into a drop in donations this year, for two reasons. Firstly, would corporate and individual donors tighten their belts (and wallets? Secondly, the Care & Share dollar-for-dollar matching grant provide an incentive for people to donate, and donate more, but the Movement ended on 31 December 2014, and with it the doubling of donations.

So, we are elated, and grateful, that the Government has extended the Care and Share Movement till March 2016, and double the matching grant to $500 million.

This piece of good news was delivered by Minister for Social & Family Development, Mr Chan Chun Sing at the Care & Share Day on 25 January 2015 at the Singapore Sports Hub’s OCBC Square.

In an interview with Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao, our Chairman, Mr Woon Wee Yim, shared that the Care & Share matching grant is very timely for the Home, because we are raising funds for our building redevelopment.

Mr Woon explained, “Care & Share gave existing and potential donors the extra impetus to donate to the Home, because they know that the value of their donation is doubled through the dollar-for-dollar matching. And this has enabled the Home to raise more than $1 million last year, which is quite an achievement for a small Charity like ours.”

Indeed, the Government, as well as the National Council of Social Service (NCSS), which administers the Care & Share matching fund, has rendered help to the social service sector when it is most needed.

For more information about the extension of Care & Share Movement, please log on to: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/govt-doubles-to-s-500m/1614322.html