PSSA 2005 - Individual Category Award Winner

Dr Henry Tay Yun Chwan

Dr Henry Tay has contributed selflessly to champion the needs of the disadvantaged through his efforts to raise funds and promote the work of Community Chest.

He became a volunteer with the Community Chest SHARE Task Force in 1990, and through his extensive business network, implemented the Corporate SHARE Programme in 1992 (corporate matching of employers’ SHARE contributions). Today, SHARE remains the anchor fund-raising programme of Community Chest, accounting for a third of its annual income.

After the telecast of the last Community Chest TV charity show in 1996, it was Dr Tay who personally initiated talks with MediaCorp to re-establish the partnership and revived the TrueHearts show in 2002. TrueHearts has since showcased the talents of Community Chest beneficiaries.

From 1994 to 1995, Dr Tay sought partnerships with the corporate heads of Japanese and US companies. His initiative resulted in a representative from American Chamber of Commerce on the Community Chest Committee, securing a stronger collaboration between the American companies here and Community Chest. The Japanese Association also became an even more active partner of Community Chest, and its volunteers even won the PSSA in 2002.

Dr Tay’s unrelenting zeal has ensured that charities can continue serving the disadvantaged despite the economic downturns. In recognition of his dedication, Dr Tay received the ‘Friend of MCDS’ award in 2002 from the then Ministry of Community Development and Sports; the Special Event Award in 1993 from the late Mr Ong Teng Cheong and the Special Volunteer Award in 1992 from the late Dr Wee Kim Wee.

Undoubtedly, fund-raising is Dr Henry Tay’s forte. His passion and tenacity, as seen in the continuous stream of innovations and creative ideas, have been an inspiration to many in the Community Chest Committee where he served as Vice Chairman from 1994 up till last year.

Other PSSA 2005 winners: