StarHub and DDB Singapore call on mobile customers to donate their unused talk-time, mobile data and SMS for several good causes
Members of the public in Singapore have donated money, items and even their services to charity. Now, customers of StarHub Mobile will be empowered to do even more for the community in an initiative never before seen in Singapore. Entitled “4G4Good”, this unique charity campaign created by DDB Singapore, enables eligible StarHub Mobile post-paid customers to pledge their unused talk-time, mobile data and SMS for the month of August 2014 in support of selected beneficiaries. These beneficiaries are from AWWA (Asian Women’s Welfare Association), CPAS (Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore), ISCOS (Industrial & Services Co-Operative Society), SAVH (Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped) and SPD (Society for the Physically Disabled).
“4G4Good is really about customer-driven philanthropy; StarHub is just the enabler,” stated Jeannie Ong, Chief Marketing Officer, StarHub. “It is our altruistic customers who generously choose to pledge any unused talk-time, mobile data and SMS in support of the beneficiaries. StarHub is extremely happy to be the first in Singapore to facilitate this kind of charitable campaign.”
Explaining the rationale behind 4G4Good, Ong pointed out that communication is very important, especially in this increasingly connected world. “For those who are in less privileged situations, such as those from our selected beneficiaries, mobile communication may be a luxury they can ill afford,” she said. “We know for a fact that people in Singapore are very charitable and compassionate. We hope that by offering them a simple and convenient way to do their part, amidst their busy schedules, we can help them contribute to society.”
Ong shared these views at MINDS (Movement for the Intellectually Disabled) Towner Garden School where StarHub launched the 4G4Good campaign by donating 10 smartphones and pre-paid SIM cards pre-loaded with talk-time and SMS to students from MINDS’ Vocational Experience class and on work attachments. The infocommunications provider hopes that the provision of these phones and SIM cards will allow the MINDS students to find independence while still keeping in touch with loved ones, caregivers and employers.
4G4Good is available to all StarHub Mobile post-paid customers. They can opt to pledge their unused talk-time, mobile data and SMS for their August billing cycle by SMSing Opt-in to 6904. StarHub will then provide talk-time, mobile data and SMS on a monthly basis to a number of individual beneficiaries from the five 4G4Good charitable organisations. The free talk-time, mobile data and SMS will be provided for one year beginning from October 2014. These organisations were selected as their clients and caregivers could benefit greatly from mobile communication to stay in touch with their loved ones, potential employers and medical help, yet they are in circumstances where maintaining a mobile communication device was difficult or impossible.
In addition, all members of the public can donate their working pre-loved mobile smartphones and chargers to these beneficiaries, via StarHub Shops at Bedok Mall, Tampines Mall, Plaza Singapura and Westgate, as well as at StarHub’s corporate office at StarHub Green. All data in donated phones will be wiped clean to protect the customers’ privacy.
“A big thank you to StarHub for their thoughtful gesture through this 4G4Good Mobile Campaign,” expressed Michael Tan, Executive Director, SAVH. “SAVH urges all eligible StarHub Mobile post-paid customers to generously pledge their unused talktime, mobile data and SMS, as well as pre-loved mobile handsets, to benefit SAVH clients from lower-income backgrounds.”
“With this 4G4Good mobile campaign initiated by StarHub, clients of AWWA will be able to save some of their limited funds for other basic needs and yet have a very convenient way of communicating with their family and friends,” said Tim Oei, Chief Executive Officer, AWWA. “It will also allow us to reach out to our clients to better engage them to fulfil our mission in empowering them to maximise their potential to lead dignified and independent lives. We thank StarHub for this great initiative in contributing back to the community.”