SDSC | Media

Financial planners raises money with chocolates from the heart

MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
19 April 2007

After winning the Million Dollar Charity Challenge, these financial planners can’t wait to begin second mission to get active in the community

GEN Planning Services is set on raising another $10,000 for the Singapore Disability Sports Council, by selling ‘chocolates from the heart’.

GEN Planning Services with self-packaged chocolate boxes

When GEN Planning Services (an authorized representative of HSBC Insurance Singapore Pte Ltd) waged a challenge with HSBC Insurance last year, their motivation was not an increase in rewards but a gift for the community.

“Having experienced a certain level of success in this industry, we at GEN believe everyone we touch must have a chance of good life. Not just our clients and colleagues, but we also seek to touch by giving back to to the community. We are constantly striving for ways to improve and motivate ourselves and the Million Dollar Charity Challenge has proven to be one of our most effective campaigns yet,” said Mr Shaun Lin, Group Manager of GEN Planning Services.

The challenge was to sell $1 million worth of sales premiums within 5 weeks (25 Sept - 27 Oct 2006). If GEN Planning Services succeeded, HSBC Insurance would donate $10,888 to a cause selected by the agency.

On 27 Oct 2006, GEN Planning Services celebrated their triumphant win. While deciding on a cause to support, they heard about how sports had benefited people with disabilities from one of their clients.

“We admire as well as empathize with the courage and determination required by disabled athletes to reach the peaks of success, despite their adversities. Their cause to make their lives meaningful and enriching to those around them greatly inspires us in our own work. Hence we feel a deep sense of affiliation to this group of extraordinary individuals and wish to wholeheartedly show our support,” said Mr Marcus Lee, Executive Financial Planner of GEN.

The Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC), national sports body for the disabled in Singapore, thus became the proud beneficiary of the donation. “SDSC was looking to hold a conference that could help us empower people with disabilities and also, promote inclusive sports. This donation from GEN Planning Services, coupled with support from JPMorgan Chase and Hewlett Packard Singapore, enabled us to turn this conference into reality,” said Mr Kevin Wong, Executive Director of the SDSC.

The Disability Sports Conference, which will take place at Singapore Management University from 26 to 28 April, aims to encourage inclusion through talks by acclaimed speakers, and interaction during sports games and challenges.

Covering topics such as ‘Sports as Rehabilitation’ and ‘Inclusive and Challenge Coaching’, the conference hopes to reach out to those who wish to take up sports as therapy, coaches, clubs or schools that wish to formulate programmes that includes the disabled. Registration for the three-day conference is $50 (inclusive of tea breaks, lunch, conference folder and certification of achievement upon completion).

The third day of the conference is branded ‘Come and Play Day’, where free sports demonstrations and challenges will be held for members of the public to try their hands on.

GEN Planning Services’ financial planners have already signed up to participate in the sports challenges, for a first-hand interaction with disabled athletes. Apart from the fun and games, the financial planners are also preparing for their second mission. They are now busy packaging boxes of chocolates to be sold during the conference to raise more funds for SDSC’s disability sports programmes and services.

“Many of us talk about disabilities and other calamities daily to our clients without having really experienced what it is all about. By interacting and giving to this community we hope to better understand the importance of the role we are playing. Our industry is not one of dollars and cents, but one of people: their dreams, hopes and fears. By taking time off to contribute to a worthy cause, we want to create a sense of warmth and the spirit of giving and sharing which we will experience not just on the day of the event itself, but that we can bring home to share with our family, friends and clients,” said Mr Lee Meng Choe, Unit Manager of GEN Planning Services.

About GEN Planning Services
GEN Planning Services has been the top group in HSBC Insurance for the last 4 years running. 40% of the members are ranked top 1% worldwide - Million Dollar Round Table. It is a young and dynamic group of financial planners who are guided by integrity, professionalism, and a strong sense of corporate social responsibility. It has always been GEN Planning Services’ culture in giving back to the society through various charity events. We do this not only because we believe it is for a good cause, but also we want to help our financial planners understand and empathize the lives of others who are less fortunate than us.

About Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC)

SDSC is the only organization in Singapore that caters sports for persons across all kinds of disabilities. It aims to help the disabled lead full and independent lives through sports. Besides providing sporting opportunities for them to realize their potential, SDSC trains talents to represent Singapore and pursue excellence at regional and international competitions. More information is available at http://www.sdsc.org.sg.

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If you would like more information about the above, please contact

Kelly Fan
Manager
Corporate Communications
Singapore Disability Sports Council
Office: 6342 3503 Handphone: 9007 8669
Email:

Marcus Lee
Executive Financial Planner
GEN Planning Services
Handphone: 9180 3269
Email:

Singapore Disability Sports Council

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Financial planners raises money with chocolates from the heart