Speech by Mrs Mildred Tan, Chairman, Tote Board, at The “Better Everyday by Tote Board: A Partners & Media Friends Get-Together”, at National Gallery Singapore on 11 April 2025 from 10am to 12.30pm

Minister in the Prime Minister's Office;
Second Minister for Finance and National Development – Ms Indranee Rajah;
My fellow Board and Committee Members;
Distinguished guests from the media, grant partners and friends from government agencies and the non-profit community, Ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning.

1. It is indeed an honour to see so many of you this morning, and to stand before you today to talk about something close to all our hearts—making a positive impact in our community and striving to be better every day.

2. We have many partners and friends with us this morning, all joined by our common desire to do good. Your presence today means a lot to us. We in particular want to thank the media for your continued support and for all that you have done for us.

3. Singapore is known for our progress, resilience, and unity. We are a nation built on the collective efforts of individuals who believe in creating a better tomorrow. But progress is not just about economic growth or technological advancements—it is about people. It is about kindness, generosity of the heart, and the drive to make a difference in the lives of someone else.

4. The concept of "Better Everyday" was conceived from our belief that be it small or big, our grants and actions must be consistent in creating a lasting impact and change. Every act of kindness, every effort to support the community and society, and every initiative is aimed at making Singapore a better place and they contribute to this vision.

5. Tote Board is dedicated to empowering the community through meaningful initiatives. Whether it is through volunteerism, educational programmes, environmental sustainability efforts, even social welfare projects which many of you know us for, and we believe everyone has a role to play. It is not just about doing good—it is about building a culture where helping each other becomes second nature.

6. So, how can we embody the spirit of "Better Everyday"?

   • Support Local Communities – Whether it is through our projects, or lending a helping hand to non-profits and charities – our actions, no matter how small, can strengthen the social fabric of our society. That cannot be taken for granted.

   • Volunteer and Give Back – We would like to take this moment to encourage many organisations in Singapore to come join us to create a Better Everyday by volunteering for the many causes that uplift the elderly, empower the youth, and support the less fortunate.

   • Encourage Inclusivity and Compassion – A truly multi- racial, multi-religious, thriving society like Singapore cannot be taken for granted. It is important that everyone feels valued and included, and no one is left behind. We have many friends and partners here today, and we are very delighted to see you here.

   • Building a Better Everyday for the future – Today, as we embrace our new brand and logo for grantmaking, let it serve as a reminder that our mission goes beyond words—it is about action for our children and our children's children to embrace a kinder everyday. It is about making every dollar and every minute we spend count to make our society and communities much stronger and more resilient.

7. We are delighted that Dr Chen Shiling and Kavitha Krishnan will join us later to share their stories about creating better opportunities for persons with disabilities and enabling better lives for caregivers. Thank you, both.

8. Together, we can transform Singapore into a place where goodness multiplies, where communities thrive, and where each of us has a role in shaping a better future. Each of us has our own story. Please go forth and share your story. Let us move forward with purpose, passion, and the belief that we can all be "Better Everyday".

And I wish you all a very happy, fun and enjoyable morning, and be inspired by the stories you hear today. Thank you for joining us.