Message from JCI Senator Dato’ Dr. Tan Hian-Tsin
Message from JCI Senator Dato’ Dr. Tan Hian-Tsin
Patron, Crocodile Foundation
Patron, JCI Singapore
I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to Sian Chay Medical Institution for the establishment of the ‘To’ Puan Dr. Tsao Sui Lan Memorial Endowment Fund’ to support the needy patients and welfare cases referred by the Grassroots Advisers at the Meet-the-People Sessions (MPS).
My family and I are deeply indebted to our President of the Republic of Singapore, Mdm Halimah Yacob, who is also the Patron of Sian Chay Medical Institution, for kindly consenting to launch the Memorial Endowment Fund and witness the cheque presentation for the Memorial Endowment Fund to Sian Chay Medical Institution.
In 1947, I emigrated to Singapore and started the Crocodile brand with my eldest brother. Our shop was located at No. 6 North Bridge Road, where the new Singapore Parliament House now stands. I married Sui Lan in 1955 in Hong Kong. We have one son, two daughters, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Sui Lan was an accomplished finger-painting artist for over four decades and had participated in numerous art exhibitions since 1976. Therefore, I am pleased to donate the art collection of 100 paintings by my beloved wife, the late To’ Puan Dr. Tsao Sui Lan, to Sian Chay Medical Institution to support the fundraising efforts for the Memorial Endowment Fund.
The Crocodile brand has grown over the last 7 decades to become an international fashion lifestyle brand. While keeping Crocodile International focused on its core business, Sui Lan and I established the Crocodile Foundation in 2002 to support community betterment projects. The Foundation is an endowment fund managed by a board of directors and has, for the past several years, supported numerous meaningful social causes and impacted lives locally and internationally. I am confident that the To’ Puan Dr. Tsao Sui Lan Memorial Endowment Fund under the management of Sian Chay Medical Institution will improve the lives of many in Singapore.
My wife and I have devoted our lives helping others as we believe that ‘service to humanity is the best work of life”. May I wish Sian Chay Medical Institution every success in its mission to serve the community regardless of race, religion or nationality.