Love speaks volumes at YMCA Giving Gala 2015

They may have hearing impairment, but that does not stop their hearts from singing. Using their hands in harmony, Y D Gen (YMCA Deaf Generation) showed the hearing world the beauty of sign language through music during their stellar performance that stole the show and warmed hearts at the YMCA Giving Gala 2015 on Wednesday, 7 October.

Y D Gen (YMCA Deaf Generation) is a percussion and song-signing group comprising hearing impaired youths that was formed under the auspices of the YMCA of Singapore in 2008 and led by Ms Lily Goh, founder of ExtraOrdinary Horizons and winner of the Singapore Woman Award 2014. The group has performed at many YMCA events including the annual YMCA Proms @ the Park, YMCA Charity Golf and YMCA Giving Gala, and they have supported and empowered the hearing-impaired community through service learning projects in arts, culture and community service.

Attended by more than 170 guests, the evening was graced by Mr Desmond Lee, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs & Ministry of National Development, the guest of honour.

Over $330,000 was raised, which will go towards YMCA’s efforts in impacting lives and nurturing community champions through the YMCA Community Service Programmes which serve the intellectually and physically challenged, abused and underprivileged children, the hearing impaired, the elderly and the poor.

Guests supported the event by purchasing tables, individual seats, raffle tickets and participating in the silent auction. Many individuals and organisations also contributed prizes worth a combined value of over $22,000 for the raffle draw.

On the occasion of our nation's Golden Jubilee, YMCA of Singapore was blessed with the opportunity to showcase a series of exquisite and highly exclusive decorative art pieces by local artists including Justin Seow, Ng Woon Lam and the Y STARS (YMCA Special Talents, Arts & Recreation Society) worth over $95,000 for the silent auction, which represents the highest value since the gala’s inauguration in 2012.

“As we celebrate the golden jubilee, we are very moved and grateful for the outpouring of support from many individuals and organisations who have contributed so generously, and for their belief in YMCA’s work of empowering the less privileged in our community,” said Mr Chew Kwee San, President of YMCA of Singapore.

In 2014, over 4,000 beneficiaries from 32 partnering voluntary welfare organisations benefitted from the 16 structured and sustained YMCA Community Service Programmes.

Some video clips of the performances at the event have been uploaded on the YMCA of Singapore facebook page at www.facebook.com/ymca.singapore.