Latest news with #SHF
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Steelworkers Humanity Fund donates $20,000 to support wildfire relief efforts in Saskatchewan
TORONTO, June 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Steelworkers Humanity Fund (SHF) is donating $20,000 to support people and communities evacuated due to recent wildfires in Saskatchewan. Following a worsening of weather conditions in Northern Saskatchewan the SHF is partnering again with the Canadian Red Cross (CRC) by answering its emergency wildfire relief appeal. This donation follows the SHF's contribution to emergency relief efforts in neighbouring Manitoba. Many United Steelworkers (USW) union members in the area have been directly affected by the situation and have been evacuated, including virtually all USW members who live in Creighton, Sask., located down the road from Flin Flon, Man. As of June 4, the CRC has registered more than 8,000 people from over 2,800 households evacuated due to the wildfires in Saskatchewan. The Steelworkers Humanity Fund's latest $20,000 donation to the CRC will be used to assist those affected by the wildfires in Saskatchewan with immediate and ongoing relief. This includes financial assistance, support to evacuees and the communities hosting them, recovery and resilience efforts in response to the wildfires, as well as supporting community preparedness and risk reduction for future disaster events within the province. "Our thoughts are with the families and communities who have been forced to flee their homes due to the devastating wildfires in Saskatchewan," said Marty Warren, SHF President and USW National Director. Anyone wishing to donate can visit the Red Cross 2025 Saskatchewan Wildfires Appeal website. Individual donations will be matched by the federal government. Founded in 1985, the Steelworkers Humanity Fund is a registered charitable organization that focuses primarily on development projects and emergency aid in developing countries but also supports Canadian communities. USW members contribute to the fund through clauses negotiated into collective agreements. In some cases, employers make matching contributions to the fund. For further information: Marty Warren, President, Steelworkers Humanity Fund, 416-544-5951Guillaume Charbonneau, Executive Director, Steelworkers Humanity Fund, 416-544-5944, gcharbonneau@ St. Pierre, USW Communications, 647-522-1630, dstpierre@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
AsiaOne
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
Paige Chua to perform piano publicly for first time at Singapore Heart Foundation charity show, Entertainment News
Local actress Paige Chua is probably used to receiving applause but at the upcoming Singapore Heart Foundation (SHF) 55th Anniversary Charity Show on June 29, getting it would "definitely going to be quite stressful" for her. In an interview on Tuesday (June 3) at a press conference for the event, the 43-year-old told AsiaOne that she would be playing the piano live for an audience for the first time. Her performance piece Harmony Four will also feature local actor Chen Hanwei and young brothers Newton and Newman Tong. Paige is quite the talent herself when it comes to music, as she can play the dizi (Chinese flute), guzheng (Chinese zither) and the piano. She has also performed music live at other events before, serenading River Hongbao 2025 in February with the dizi . However, for the piano, she thinks it'll require a steep curve in confidence. She explained: "For the piano, it's an instrument I go to when I need to de-stress — it's always in a very cosy, personal and intimate environment in my room. No one has seen and sat by my side and watched me play because when there are people, I'll get nervous and I can't really relax." Paige's journey with the piano began at five when her parents pushed her to learn the craft. She elaborated: "I started with classical piano but it was so hard that I dropped it. And when I picked up the piano again when I was 14, I went over to pop piano instead because it's something you resonate a bit more with and it's more enjoyable since we regularly listen to pop songs." Although she feels her foundation isn't "super strong", Paige can read scores and hopes that it will aid her performance at the charity show. No stranger to volunteering Paige's appearance at SHF's charity show seeks to raise awareness on looking after one's health no matter what the status quo looks like. She may look as fit as a fiddle, but she revealed: "In my health checkup last year, I was told that I've got high cholesterol which really shocked me, because it can lead to heart disease. "So my purpose being on the charity show, besides sharing my talent, is also to raise awareness that even if you're seemingly healthy, you may not be — so go for health checkups and make sure that you have a healthier diet." And when asked how she's been watching her health, the fried food-lover joked: "I'll reduce my fries!" She added: "I've also been exercising. But yeah, I'm very surprised because I'm not obese so I thought it could just be genetics." Paige is no stranger to giving, having volunteered 17 years with non-profit organisation Willing Hearts. On how she joined the cause, she shared: "Back then I had just graduated and was trying to look for a purpose in life. I was trying to find a stable job. I was still modelling and dabbling in some film acting, so I had been in a salon reading a magazine and that was when I read an interview with the founder, Tony Tay. "He was sharing about why he'd started the [Willing Hearts] foundation and said, 'Especially in Singapore, you shouldn't see anyone go hungry. And even if you are someone in need of a meal, the meal should be dignified. It should be something not only filling, but delicious as well — not just food given to someone because they are needy and in need of food.' "So I thought that touched me and there was a resonance to Willing Hearts, thus I started volunteering with them. And when I started, I felt like the vibe there was very enjoyable and cheerful and I actually like the work there, so that made it very sustainable. That's why I'm still with the organisation from 2008 until now." The Singapore Heart Foundation 55th Anniversary Charity Show will air on June 29 from 7pm to 10pm on Channel 8. It will also be simulcast on Mewatch. To donate to SHF, Singapore residents can tune in to the charity show and scan the QR code on the television screen. They can also call the hotline at 6321 8655 or leave a message through WhatsApp at the same phone number from June 3 to July 5 to pledge their donation. They can also donate directly at Contributions will support SHF's mission to prevent heart disease through outreach and educational activities, provide rehabilitation for survivors and at-risk individuals, improve resuscitation efforts through training and awareness, and support needy heart patients through the Heart Support Fund. [[nid:718720]] No part of this article can be reproduced without permission from AsiaOne.
AsiaOne
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
Kym Ng, Carrie Wong, Tay Ying and more to perform for Singapore Heart Foundation 55th Anniversary Charity Show, Entertainment News
The Singapore Heart Foundation (SHF) Charity Show, which is making a comeback after a decade, will present star-studded performances from local and international artistes come June 29. SHF's chairman Professor Tan Huay Cheem announced at the press conference yesterday (May 3) that the theme for this year is "Resilient Hearts" and they are "thrilled" to bring this event back on television. He said: "This special live TV event pays tribute to the many individuals who embody resilience: Cardiac patients, caregivers, volunteers and partners who have all journeyed with us through the years. "Their stories are a testament to the strength of the human spirit, and this show is a celebration of their courage and commitment." The charity show will bring together performances by local artistes including Kym Ng, Guo Liang, Zoe Tay, Chen Hanwei, Marcus Chin, Shaun Chen, Paige Chua, Elvin Ng, Carrie Wong, Denise Camillia Tan, Tay Ying and Hazelle Teo as well as Singapore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny. Taiwanese singer Chen Lei and Hong Kong singer Kenny Bee will also be present. Carrie Wong's first charity show since joining showbiz This would be the first time Carrie is participating in a charity show since she entered showbiz in 2013. The 30-year-old will be performing a dance segment titled Shield Your Heart with Elvin, Shaun, Gini Chang, Tiffany Ho and SHF volunteers. She said at the press conference: "I think this is a particularly meaningful dance because we included an important element in it and that is using umbrellas. The message that we hope to spread to everyone is that no matter what happens in our life, we can always hold an umbrella for others and give them hope. We hope that the five of us will be able to present a heartwarming performance." Carrie also told AsiaOne yesterday: "This show holds a special meaning for me, because this is the first time in my decade in the industry [that I'm participating in a charity show]. It's very unbelievable because there were multiple shows during this time, but I've never been involved... I am just looking forward to it; there's a first time for everything." She added she had initially heard from her manager that it was a "simple" dance, but she later realised "it's not so easy". Carrie also said that she and some of the artistes began training in mid-May and while they had about four rehearsals since then, they have not practised as a full team yet. Kym Ng touched by SHF beneficiary's resilience and positivity Kym, who will be hosting the show with Guo Liang, felt a sense of responsibility to deliver SHF's message through the show, which is how patients can seek help. The 57-year-old said during the press conference: "When I participated in charity shows previously, I usually perform. This is one of the few times where I get to host and I feel a great sense of responsibility. "We have quite a lot of performances by local and international artistes, volunteers and athletes. I hope that the performances will touch the hearts of audiences and encourage them to support us to donate generously and help those in need." She told AsiaOne she was touched by a beneficiary she had interviewed for the show. Kym shared that the woman, who is in her late forties, has a heart that functions at only 20 per cent. She also needs to go for kidney dialysis daily and self-inject insulin every day for her type 1 diabetes. Because of her health condition, she is unable to work, but she is also a caregiver to her husband who has mental health issues and father-in-law who had a stroke. Kym also revealed that the woman had received criticism from people around her about her health and considered suicide at one point. As she sat on the windowsill contemplating it, her husband saw her and asked her where she was going. "Her husband saved her; he told her he loved her and needed her, and she then decided to continue to live on," she added. Despite the difficulties the woman faces in her life; she persevered and holds online classes on how to be caregivers to loved ones. Kym, who is frequently involved in charity work in her personal life, said: "The woman is very positive and has a strong character. I really respect and admire her." "I think life is very precious... Humans need each other. Only when you help and care for each other that you realise life is worth it, everybody is worthy of love, and you have something to look forward to in your life." Tay Ying finds 'full circle' moment in SHF performance Tay Ying will be performing taekwondo fused with dance — two areas of her interest — with Hazelle, Denise, Germaine, Ivory Chia and taekwondo athletes in a segment named Pulse & Power. Speaking at the press conference, the 29-year-old, who is tying the knot with celebrity chef Wu Sihan this month, shared: "Taekwondo and dance were my first loves. It was my first entry into the arts industry, so it feels like a full circle moment for me." Tay Ying, who has a black belt in taekwondo, revealed that the coach who is training them for their performance now is actually her teacher from when she was nine. She had suggested the coach when the production team asked for recommendations. She also told AsiaOne yesterday that while she enjoys both taekwondo and dancing separately, this is the first time she is performing a combination of both, which she found an "interesting" experience so far. "It's a bit of code-switching, because there are certain stunts in taekwondo which will be totally different when we switch to dancing, so it's a new learning experience for me," Tay Ying shared. The Singapore Heart Foundation 55th Anniversary Charity Show will air on June 29 from 7pm to 10pm on Channel 8. It will also be simulcast on Mewatch. To donate to SHF, Singapore residents can tune in to the charity show and scan the QR code on the television screen. They can also call the hotline at 6321 8655 or leave a message through WhatsApp at the same phone number from June 3 to July 5 to pledge their donation. They can also donate directly at Contributions will support SHF's mission to prevent heart disease through outreach and educational activities, provide rehabilitation for survivors and at-risk individuals, improve resuscitation efforts through training and awareness, and support needy heart patients through the Heart Support Fund. Samaritans of Singapore: 1800-221-4444 Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019 Care Corner Counselling Centre (Mandarin): 1800-353-5800 Institute of Mental Health's Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 Silver Ribbon: 6386-1928 Shan You Counselling Centre (Mandarin): 6741-0078 Fei Yue's Online Counselling Service: Tinkle Friend (for primary school children): 1800-2744-788 [[nid:718678]] No part of this article can be reproduced without permission from AsiaOne.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Steelworkers Humanity Fund donates $20,000 to support wildfire relief efforts in Manitoba
TORONTO, May 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Steelworkers Humanity Fund (SHF) is donating $20,000 to support people and communities evacuated due to the recent wildfires in Manitoba. Yesterday, the Manitoba government declared a province-wide state of emergency amid reports of an intensification of the wildfires that have been raging for weeks now. More than 17,000 residents of northern and eastern Manitoba, including the First Nations communities of Pimicikimak and Mathias Colomb and the city of Flin Flon, were ordered to evacuate, in what Premier Wab Kinew described as 'the largest evacuation in many Manitobans' living memory.' Many United Steelworkers (USW) union members in the area have been affected by the evacuation order, including almost all members of USW Locals 7106 and 9338 in Flin Flon. USW Local 7499 members in southeastern Manitoba (Lac du Bonnet) have been forced off work at the local mine for two weeks due to the presence of a nearby fire. The Steelworkers Humanity Fund is responding to the appeal sent by the Canadian Red Cross with a $20,000 donation to support local authorities in assisting those affected by the wildfires with immediate and ongoing relief, including financial assistance, support to evacuees and the communities hosting them, as well as recovery and resilience efforts. 'The Steelworkers Humanity Fund stands in solidarity with the communities affected by the devastating wildfires in Manitoba,' said Marty Warren, SHF President and USW National Director. 'Through our donation to the Canadian Red Cross, we're helping to ensure that immediate relief and long-term recovery efforts reach those who need it most, including our members and their communities. We are proud to support the vital work being done on the ground during this challenging time,' Warren said. Anyone wishing to donate can visit the Red Cross 2025 Manitoba Wildfires Appeal website. Founded in 1985, the Steelworkers Humanity Fund is a registered charitable organization that focuses primarily on development projects and emergency aid in developing countries but also supports Canadian communities. USW members contribute to the fund through clauses negotiated into collective agreements. In some cases, employers make matching contributions to the fund. For further information: Marty Warren, President, Steelworkers Humanity Fund, 416-544-5951Guillaume Charbonneau, Executive Director, Steelworkers Humanity Fund, 416-544-5944, gcharbonneau@ St. Pierre, USW Communications, 647-522-1630, dstpierre@ in to access your portfolio
The Star
12-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Kenya hosts global forum for developing standards for menstrual products
NAIROBI, May 12 (Xinhua) -- An annual meeting to develop international standards for menstrual products kicked off Monday in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, bringing together senior policymakers, regulatory agencies, entrepreneurs, and gender specialists. Convened by the United Nations Sanitation and Hygiene Fund (SHF), the Kenya Bureau of Standards, and the Swedish Institute for Standards, the third in-person meeting of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) runs until Friday with the aim of developing global standards for menstrual products. "The development of global ISO standards for menstrual products reflects an urgent and universal need to unlock markets, improve trade, and most importantly, expand access for women and girls everywhere," said Sue Coates, deputy executive director of the SHF. According to Coates, there is an urgency to support emerging as well as low- and middle-income economies in adopting the standards, ensuring that women and girls manage their menstrual cycles with dignity. One in four women and girls worldwide struggle to manage their periods safely and with dignity, according to the SHF, hence the need to develop menstrual products that meet safety and quality thresholds. During the meeting, the SHF and its partners will host a special high-level session to discuss how countries and local companies can adequately prepare for the adoption and application of globally recognized standards for menstrual products. The agency added that once finalized, the standards will outline safety requirements and testing methods for menstrual products, improving their safety, stimulating innovation, boosting menstrual health and hygiene, and hastening the realization of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
