David Beckham Kicks Off Sixth Annual Sands for Singapore Charity Festival
Fundraising event to be held at Marina Bay Sands from August 24 - 26.
As published on the Sands Confidential blog
Sands for Singapore is the annual charity festival organized by Marina Bay Sands to raise awareness of partner charities and raise funds for them through a series of events. David Beckham, Sands Global Ambassador and international sports star, announced the sixth annual festival will begin August 24 through August 26 at a special launch event.
The festival is the signature event of the property’s award-winning CSR program, Sands for Singapore. An initiative through Sands Cares, Las Vegas Sands’ corporate giving program, the festival has raised nearly $15 million for local charities since its start in 2013. This year, the event will focus on deepening Marina Bay Sands’ support for the local community and providing the underprivileged with ways to showcase their skills and talents. For the first time, the festival will feature a line-up of activities and offerings co-created with local charities, social enterprises and beneficiaries.
“Our annual Sands for Singapore Charity Festival is a highlight of Marina Bay Sands’ community contributions throughout the year. It allows us to celebrate our commitment in a grander and more concerted fashion over three intensive days of corporate giving,” George Tanasijevich, president and chief executive officer of Marina Bay Sands said. “This year, we turn the Festival into a stage for the underprivileged community to showcase their talent and potential. As we lend them our encouragement, we hope the public will also show their support by coming down to Marina Bay Sands over the festival weekend to join in the festivities, unwind and bask in the atmosphere of giving back.”
During Sands for Singapore’s kickoff event, Beckham was joined by Leong Sijun, a 15-year-old artist with Down Syndrome, who was commissioned by the Integrated Resort to create a special art piece that will be featured across this year’s festival branding. Sijun’s art shows the iconic three towers of Marina Bay Sands surrounded by water, to portray the Integrated Resort as a ‘big ship’ that carries and supports the community through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
In an intimate art session at ArtScience Museum, Beckham and Sijun joined 15 children and youth beneficiaries from AWWA Family Service Centre and Singapore Fashion Runway to recreate the festival’s 2018 key visual to mark the upcoming charity event. The completed art piece will be on display during the festival.
“It’s a pleasure to be back in Singapore for the launch of this year’s festival. I’m really proud to partner with an organization like Marina Bay Sands that uses their incredible platform to support the local community and raise awareness for talented young artists such as Leong Sijun,” Beckham said.
Beckham helped launch the festival in 2013, and has since participated in numerous Sands for Singapore initiatives – from meet and greet sessions with aspiring youth athletes to a Christmas gift distribution with children from underprivileged backgrounds.
The three-day event will allow for many opportunities for locals to join in by participating in the festival’s programs including the brand new Festival Hub at the Event Plaza and the Play It Forward charity challenge.
To learn more about Sands for Singapore and other Sands Cares programs and initiatives, visit the Las Vegas Sands website.
