A group of anonymous donors has given the New Taipei City (新北市) Government NT$70 million (US$2.3 million) over the past three years to help disadvantaged people in the city, New Taipei City Mayor Eric Chu (朱立倫) said.
“My good friend ‘Anonymous’ donated NT$20 million this year,” Chu said while hosting a city administration meeting.
In total, the donor has given NT$70 million to the city government since Chu took office on Dec. 25, 2010, according to the mayor.
The money has benefited more than 40,000 people, Chu said, expressing gratitude to those who have offered their financial support for the city government’s social welfare policies.
Chu said that New Taipei City has received NT$450 million in cash donations over the past three years.
Thanks to the donations, the city has not needed to spend any public funds on the implementation of its nine social welfare programs, which provide care to disadvantaged people, seniors and children from high-risk families, Chu said.
For example, the NT$20 million given by the anonymous group of donors this year will allow the city to provide care for more than 10,000 people in need.
According to the city’s Social Welfare Department, the anonymous philanthropy began in 2011, with donations of NT$10 million.
In 2012 and last year, donations amounted to NT$20 million.
In a statement accompanying the latest donation, the donating group said it is made up of small and medium-sized enterprises with limited resources.
Touched by the city government’s devotion to social welfare, they want to help “in a concrete way,” the statement said.
“The donors want to help the most people in need in the most efficient way,” it added.
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