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This year's National Volunteerism & Philanthropy Awards honoured seven outstanding recipients for setting excellence benchmarks in encouraging the spirit of giving in Singapore.

President S R Nathan and Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports presented the awards at a gala dinner on 15 November at the Marina Mandarin Singapore. Gracing the occasion were some 400 guests comprising decision makers from the people, private, and public sectors.

To enable wider participation, NVPC expanded two of the five Awards categories - the Non-profit Organisation and Corporate Citizen categories - to recognise organisations which were strong in either volunteerism or philanthropy, in addition to the overall category winner that excels in both.

Now in its fourth year, the Awards were presented to the following winners:

1. New Non-profit Initiative Award
    Asian Film Archive

2. Innovative Fund-raising Initiative Award
    Inspire'06 - Hwa Chong Institution

3a.Outstanding Corporate Citizen Award
    SMRT Corporation Ltd

3b.Corporate Citizen Award for Volunteerism
    ABN AMRO Bank N.V.

4a.Outstanding Non-profit Organisation Award
    TOUCH Community Services Limited

4b.Non-profit Organisation Award for Philanthropy Management
    YMCA of Singapore

5. Special Recognition Award
    Dr. William Tan

The night, boasting a scintillating set of performances, opened on a passionate note when volunteer flamenco dance group BalieCante took to the stage. The group, featuring none other than Auditor-General Mr Lim Soo Ping on guitar, sizzled with their rendition of Garrotin. Professional musician Gilbert Bardoza then serenaded the guests, inviting song requests from the audience, and dedicated the inspirational song "You Lift Me Up" to President Nathan.The evening closed on a high, with Singapore's own diva, Kit Chan, entrancing the audience with her soulful rendition of "Wind Beneath My Wings".

But it was the Awards winners who took centre stage. In his welcoming remarks, NVPC Chairman Mr Stanley Tan noted that the evening's celebrations were in recognition of extraordinary organisations and individuals.  He also dedicated the Awards to those who were not specifically acknowledged and paid tribute to their selfless and generous acts. "This event is particularly important as it is timely reminder that not only do we need to do good, we actually need to do it well," he said.

Winners were presented with a specially designed trophy from Royal Selangor.

Partners of the NVPC 2007 Awards included Ian Ferguson Foundation, Regency Steel Asia, Harvard Singapore Foundation and Fortis Bank SA/NV.
 
Copyright National Volunteer & Philantrophy Centre. Article first appeared in SALT.